A little less than a year ago, I packed up my belongings to go off to my freshman year of college. I said my tearful goodbyes to my high school best friends, not knowing what to expect and wondering if I would ever be able to make friends as great as they were.

Now, as I am about to enter my second year at WSU, I wonder why I felt so anxious a year ago. I now realize that I have made some of my best, lifelong friends. This one goes out to you guys – you know who you are.

Dear college friends,

Thank you for accepting me for who I am, and thank you for being true to yourselves. I never knew what "genuine" meant until I was immersed in a mix of such genuine and unique individuals.

Thank you for forcing me out of my miserable study sessions to go to Dollar Scoop Tuesday at Baskin Robbins.

Thank you for reminding me to study, but also for being more than willing to procrastinate with me by joining me in binge-watching "Parks and Recreation."

Thank you for going on random adventures with me.

Thank you for never bringing up the Dark Ages that were high school, unless it's appropriate for the conversation (we mustn't speak of those times).

Thank you for doing completely random things, like purchasing an ice luge mold from Amazon; all of these strange happenings will make for great stories to traumatize my future grandchildren.

Thank you for always making sure that we "McMake it" to the crucial McDonald's breakfast on Saturday mornings.

Thank you for being the funniest people I have ever met, and for laughing at my lame jokes.

Thank you for always being there for me when I need someone to listen.

Thank you for not being judgmental and for not getting caught up in petty drama.

Thank you for answering your phones late at night – and thank you for walking me home to my dorm so many times.

Thank you for driving me to the doctor whenever I was basically on my deathbed and refusing to go.

Thank you for striving to bring others up instead of tearing them down.

Thank you for making even the simplest things, like going to Walmart, fun.

Thank you for attempting to teach me how to twerk and for not judging my poor dance moves.

Thank you for making the stress of college worthwhile, because I know that at the end of the day, I have plenty of amazing friends that are sharing the college struggle with me.

Thank you for being so selfless and kind to others.

Thank you for showing me that home isn't about where you are, but who you are with.

There are many other things that I could thank my college friends for, and the list could go on forever. Most importantly, though, I thank them for showing me that you really do meet your best friends in college.