I'm sure many would read the title of this article and assume that it's just a run-of-the-mill cliché article, and I won't even deny it. I feel that given the context of both negative world and personal events, that the least amount of harm could be done by spreading love to those who both need and deserve it. I think that these sort of clichés are harmless -- in fact, they might even be a necessary instrument in coping with a world full of hatred and destruction. So with that said, I'm going to continue by saying simply this:
To my friends, both old and recent, near or far, young and slightly-less-young, thank you.
To my old friends, thank you for being an irreplaceable part of my life. Thank you for helping me to grow and develop, for helping shape who I am today. We may not speak every day anymore, maybe not more than once a year or even less, but I want you to know that I appreciate you all the same. For those of you who grew up with me, who experienced high school with me, who loved me through a lot of my life's ups and downs, you are irreplaceable to me. I hope that you all know this already, but in case you don't, I want to express that I will always appreciate you, and that you should never feel like a stranger. I will always be here, and I hope that we will remain in touch.
To my most recent friends, my college friends, my work friends, thank you for being such an active and supportive part of my life as it's changing so rapidly. I appreciate you for being a constant and supportive presence in a storm of change. Even if this change we are all experiencing doesn't end up taking us in the same direction, I will always value your role in my life. Through changing relationships, college, and the beginning of independent life, you have given me constant joy.
Thank you all for the late nights and early mornings, for being there at all hours of the day. Thank you for the laughs and for being there through the tears. Thank you for challenging me when I needed a push, and for supporting me when life gets challenging. You all have an enormous part of my heart.
They say that friends are the family that you get to choose, which is totally another cliché, but it resonates so largely with me that I don't even mind. It is absolutely true to how I feel about my relationships with every one of you, past and present, and because you know me, you probably aren't at all surprised to know that I love you even more than I love these silly clichés. Thank you all, and remember that I will always be here for you.
