I came into college worried I wouldn’t make friends, but here we are (some credit is definitely due to SOAR) packing up our rooms, and I can say I have found my group.

Sure, there has been plenty of drama and complications from time to time, but don’t all friend groups have that? I thank you all for sticking it out and being patient with me.

What I really appreciate most are all the times you have been there for me. Whether it’s just the text in the group chat about going to dinner, or if it’s a Friday night movie in somebody’s common room, knowing I have people to go to really relieves a lot of the anxieties I brought with me into college.

Thank you for braving countless N wing dinners with me.

Thank you for helping me scrape the ice off my car just to drive to the Lodge for ice cream.

Thank you for helping me find my car when I can’t remember where I parked, because everyone knows the parking at Stockton is chaotic and messy.

Thank you for letting me raid your candy stash when I’m stressed or just because it's Friday.

Thank you for all cramming into one of our dorm rooms to give each other relationship advice, school advice or just plain life advice.

Thank you for confiding in me, whether it be trivial drama or heart-heavy issues.

Thank you for doing your laundry with me when we realize there are actually machines available.

Thank you for going to all the Welcome Week events with me, all those months ago.

Thank you for all the nature walks we’ve gone on around Lake Fred, and therefore all the pictures we’ve taken together with good ol’ Fred as our backdrop.

Thank you for late night talks and late night walks to the 360 store to buy mac n cheese.

Thank you for going to Thursday night and Saturday night movies in the campus center with me.

Thank you for doing homework with me in the quad when the weather finally got nicer.

Thank you for the Target runs, Chipotle runs and all the jamming in those car rides.

Thank you for telling me about your stories from your high schools, of your families, of your struggles.

Thank you for letting me tell you my stories.

Thank you for reassuring me my life will be OK, especially after that one exam.

Thank you for becoming my at-school family.

Thank you, Stockton, for bringing me my friends.

Thank you, friends, for bringing me so much happiness, and making me realize how great life at Stockton really can be.