With move-in day less than a week away, the all too familiar mixture of anxiety and excitement hinting at new experiences fills the back of my mind.

For the past three years, I could count on my being able to tame this uncertainty because of one main reason: my group of friends. Sure, we might not have ended up in the same classes each semester, but I could always count on spending my lunches with them, studying with them, or just ranting to them.

Although some might not like to admit it, making new friends in college is a huge stress factor. Entering a new school with thousands upon thousands of students can seem intimidating and the desire to "fit in" can turn into a necessity. Plenty of "what ifs" currently fill my thoughts as I mentally prepare myself for the overwhelming number of social decisions that I'll have to make. I won't have my high school friends by my side all of the time anymore. I'll be starting from square one. Nevertheless, I'll never forget how much they mean to me. Thus, I call out to my high school BFFs (you know who you are), to read through this open letter to show you just how much you meant to me:

I write this to you, my high school friends, who stuck with me through all four years of drama, late-night cramming, parties, APUSH, marching seasons, and countless other now meaningless sixteen-year-old endeavors. I wouldn't have been able to get through life's ups and downs without you. Your motivation and belief in me to accomplish whatever I wanted became unwavering, and I truly appreciate that.

To you, who always listened when I needed someone to talk to. You patiently sat through my terrible storytelling and gave me advice in the best ways possible. To you, who shared in my joys, my sadness, my fears. You understood me more than myself during those times, and you made me feel so blessed to be able to bask in such empathy. To you, who was always down to eat lunch together, grab coffee after school, or just sit in your bedroom bantering about anything under the sun.

You made me feel loved and appreciated, while also contributing to some of the best memories of my teenage years thus far. To you, we both knew our friendship wasn't always perfect, but at the end of the day, we had a good laugh together about our misunderstandings. Because a wise second grader once told me that you're not truly friends with someone unless you fight once in a while.

To you, who made me laugh until I cried, who I sang radio songs with, who I bonded with over the same interests and goals. You taught me to let myself loose once in a while, to never lose hope over my aspirations and ultimately helped me build dope Spotify playlists. To you, who I, unfortunately, won't see often anymore. You might still attend the same school as me, or perhaps one across the state, or even across the country. I already miss you all and your crazy, beautiful selves.

I don't know how soon it'll be when we meet again but just know that it'll be exactly like the beginning of lunch back in high school, and probably even better.

I'll never forget the memories we share, and I hope you don't either. Going into the school year, I only wish that I find new friends that are as caring, supportive, hilarious, and motivated as you all are (oh, and that have outstanding tastes in music and food). And so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making high school not nearly as bad as people expect. I love you, and I wish you all the best for your first-year of college. Oh, and #goheelz.