College is a time to find yourself again, find friends that last a lifetime, and to create your future. I expected to study, hang out with new friends, and get involved in many activities. My life has changed so much this past year. As I sit in my home with boxes full of everything that was in my dorm room, I reflect on my first year on a big public campus. I think of all the things I accomplished, the new people I got to meet, the sisterhood i gained, and even the down times throughout the year. But one thing stands out from the whole year, my boyfriend. I came into college in a relationship, only to have it be gone a week later. I didn't expect to meet someone so much better and so like me. Here is a thank you to him, for all he has done for me for the past 5 months

Thank you for sticking by my side for the past 5 months, even when I'm stubborn. Or all the time because I'm always stubborn. Thank you for allowing me to rant, and saying that you will be there for me to talk to when I'm stressed and crying in my room, even though I just like to be alone. Thank you for letting me have that alone time. I am a person who likes to be alone, a lot of the time, and I need that to keep my sanity. Thank you for accepting when I'm super busy or have a lot of homework and understand when we can't hang out. I promise we will hang out more next fall when you are just across the yard.

Thank you for all the gifts, food dates, experiences, and never giving up on the distance. You don't always meet people that live 20 minutes down the road from your house, and that is just something everyone has to understand. Summer is short and I know we will be busy working this summer. I can't wait to explore your town, and show you mine a bit more.

Thank you for going to my sorority events with me, and also not liking to dance. I need someone to just sit there with me while everyone dances to Wagon Wheel or some other song I don't like. Thank you for taking me to your fraternity events. I enjoy getting to know all your brothers and going to events. It always makes for some fun stories. Thank you for also letting me take my best friend along too, we are a packaged deal.

Thank you for letting me sometimes pick your outfits out, or hear me complain when you aren't wearing a coat and it's raining. Thank you for not looking like a total frat boy or act like one. I don't know if I could take you seriously in vineyard vines and pastel shorts. Thank you for rocking the skater boy look. You do you. Thank you for giggling at cat videos and loving cats and Spongebob.

Overall, thank you for everything you do for me. I know I am super difficult at times, but when I have my mind stuck on something, there's nothing you can do to stop me from doing it. Thank you for allowing me to be my independent self when I need to be, but also helping me when I can't do it myself. Thank you for sticking by my side. I can't wait for what is to come.