Dear Friends,

I don’t say it enough, so, thank you.

There is something to be said about the friends who have flourished into the people they are now while watching you flourish into your current person. They have seen you struggle, triumph, and continue to stand by your side. Through the distance and hardship that comes with life they are there, continuously cheering you on.

Your hometown friends are the ones who have watched you grow. They’ve been with you through the milestones of life and have struggled just as much. They watched as you embodied an awkward teenager, but only judged you a little for your style choices. (Even though gauchos were totally in style and everyone knows it.) They were there when you failed your drivers test, but waited to laugh at you until after you finally passed. They create horrible nicknames for you and make sure everyone calls you them, but they also know how to cheer you up when you’re having a bad day. Your home friends are the ones who know all your embarrassing stories, secrets, and ugly truths, but still love you anyways.

I have some pretty great friends. Some I’ve grown up with since I was a youngin’, and others who have recently entered my life within the past four years. I wouldn’t trade any of them for the world. They are my rock. I am very fortunate to be able to go every day knowing that I have people to cry to, laugh with, and who will support me no matter what path I choose to follow. There is never a day that I doubt the overall amazing existence of these people who I have formed lifelong relationships with.

We never really know where we’re going to end up but I know that I have you to thank for helping me get there.

Thank you for continuously being by my side and putting up with my crazy antics. Thank you for always listening to my stories even when they aren’t interesting and are poorly told. Thank you for listening to me complain when I really shouldn’t be complaining at all, and always being there for a good ole vent “sesh." Thank you for always being down to adventure, laugh until we cry, and grab a cup of coffee.

Whether it’s from grabbing Dunks iced coffee and going for a drive through scenic towns, hanging out in someone’s basement, or keeping in touch through the Facebook group chat while at school, there’s never a dull moment.

The endless support you bring to my life is irreplaceable. For I know that without it, I would not be who I am today. I have each and every one of you to thank for my happiest memories in life thus far and for the ones that have yet to come. I do not go a moment wondering what it’s like to have true friends, because I am lucky enough to be surrounded by them every day.

So this is for you, my hometown homies.

Thank you.