When we were kids, our parents made an effort to enlighten us with as many life lessons as they could in hope of preparing us for our adult life. It’s almost impossible to remember all of these lessons as we grow up, however, there are typically a handful of things embedded into our minds that we will end up holding onto for life. For me, it was how my parents always urged me to select a good group of friends. After 24 years, I feel as if I have done just that, as all of my friends are having a successful beginning to adulthood.

When we were growing up, you guys never pressured me to do things we knew we’d have a chance of getting in trouble doing. Instead, we spent countless hours playing any-bounce up and down Dogwood Rd. and riding our bikes all over the South Euclid-Lyndhurst area. Because of this, we ended up being an athletic group of kids. I could have easily ended up wasting my summer days indoors playing video games by myself, but instead every day was a new experience, and for this, I can't thank you enough.

My friends can also be credited for giving me the personality I have now. I feel as if we all tend to mimic the people closest to us. Growing up, my friends always tried to make the best out any situation, good or bad. Because my friends are so free spirited, hilarious and down to earth, I have been able to develop a personality I am satisfied with. I feel that my personality is going to be extremely beneficial for me in the long run, especially in the work field, and because my personality is a direct reflection of the people I grew up with, I thank you in advance.

I also have to thank my friends for being so patient with me. When I left for college, a majority of my friends went from seeing me every day to maybe seeing me twice a year. Maybe. While this temporarily distanced me from a lot of people, my friends were always active in my life.

My friends are simply the greatest of all time.

When I look at what my friends are doing with themselves, I see all the success they have found and I am glad to say I will be joining them all shortly. It’s crazy to think we are in our mid-twenties, and the day of our ten-year reunion is closer than the day on which we all graduated high school. I hope you all know I will always be thankful for the experience and lessons you have all taught me. So for everything that you that you all have done for and with everything that you will help me with in the future, I can’t thank you enough.