This summer is coming to an end and I will say it has been one of the best. From vacations to friend reunions to Netflix marathons, it has been great. It was the perfect way to end a great school year, as well. So as a way to end this great summer, I want to say thank you summer.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for an amazing time home. After being gone at Disney and school for almost an entire year, being home for the past three months have been so refreshing. Thank you, Mom, for the home cooked meals and deep mommy-daughter talks. Having you on the phone is not the same as face-to-face talks. These have been reassuring and loving, everything I needed to get ready for a new semester. Thank you, Dad, for an amazing trip to Beaufort and all the help getting ready to move into my new house. I will always be a daddy's girl and it was fun to be able to spend a few days with just the two of us adventuring around the beach.

Thank you, Roberto, for letting me be your big sister. You might not be shorter than me anymore, but you will always be my little brother. I love being there for you when you need to talk because I will be there to listen and help when I can. Seeing you perform in choir and hearing about your voice and dance lessons make me so proud. You are growing into an amazing young man, and I couldn't be any prouder of the progress you have made in reaching your dream. This summer has opened my eyes to how much you have changed from the quiet boy playing video games to the teenager with the beautiful singing voice. Also, your sass compares to no other, and I have enjoyed our lunch outings when I get to hear all about school and stuff, and listen to your stories.

Thank you, squad, for the Pokemon game nights, scary movie nights, and catch up nights. It is so good to see your faces in person rather than on a computer screen. College has changed us so much, and I couldn't imagine anyone else being there for all the milestones we are about to reach. I pray that in these next two years we can be there for each other just the same as always. We are coming up on new adventures, new places to see, new people entering our lives, and new obstacles to overcome. Who better to be there than those who have seen us through the low points and the high points? STMS Squad forever.

Thank you, Fluffy, for all of the snuggles. I have gone almost a year without a dog, and having you come up to my room to snuggle every morning is lovely. You licking my face when I'm sad, snuggling up to my leg when I'm happy, and cuddling on my lap when I'm tired are things I will miss in college. After this summer, I may just survive a semester in a new house without a dog. I will miss the daily snuggle, though.

Thank you to all of my friends who I have gotten to see this summer. I miss all of our days in high school when we could see each other every day for nine months in classes or lunch or after school activities. College has changed us all, hopefully for the better. I am so happy that we were able to meet and catch up. I love hearing all about your adventures. They give me new perspectives for the upcoming events in my life. They are memories to hold onto for a year before we are able to make new ones the next time we get to see each other. I hope that in the next breaks we will be able to meet again and share our experiences of the past college semester.

Thank you, work, for the struggles you throw at me daily. From the crazy coworkers, the stressful guests, and the few times I end up loving my job. I do sometimes enjoy it, I promise. There are things I learn that are good and will need later in life, or things I realize are bad that I now know not to do. Summer jobs are trial and error. They prepare you for the job you will eventually have and keep for a long period of time. The job you are going to college to eventually achieve. So thank you, lifeguarding, for hopefully making me a better teacher.

Thank you, summer, for the ups and the downs. The memories, the adventures, the love. It's been real, but now it's time to go back to reality. I'll see you in nine months, summer!