Last year got a pretty lousy reputation. Although the year had its downturns and rough moments, it was a year that I will never forget; I can easily attribute this to my assortment of friends who helped make this year one I'll never forget.

To the friend who never left my side through it all, I thank you for growing up with me. You've been there for me from the very beginning even when I made that hard for you. Although we may be a few hundred miles apart, you're still the first person I call when things go wrong and right. Long, repetitive phone calls and counting down the days till we see each other again make it all worth being able to come home to my best friend.

To the friends who made the transition to college easier than I thought, I owe you immensely. Thank you for never leaving my side, especially when times got tough. The shift from Houston to Oxford wasn't the easiest, but without y'all, I wouldn't be able to call Ole Miss "my home."

To the friends that made endless Sonic, Chick-Fil-A, Wendy's, and Cook-Out trips with me in the middle of the night, I love you. Thank you for literally being down to eat any type of food with me at any time of the day. Whether our trips took five minutes or three hours, I could never thank you enough for being my sanity when I thought I was going insane.

To the friend that brought God back into my life, I can't thank you enough. From the first day you dragged me unwillingly to CRU to our long talks in the car, you made a new person out of me without even trying. You're too humble to pride yourself, so I will: Without you, I wouldn't nearly be the person I am today.

To the friends who became my moms, my actual mother loves you. Who would have known that even though you're 500 miles from your biological mother, you find people that take on her role? You brought me to the doctor when I was sick, you made me go to Church when I just wanted to sleep, you provided me with a bed and soup when I felt bad, you gave me hugs when I needed them, and you gave me a certain look when it was most certainly needed.

To the friends that I never thought I would be friends with, you're literally the best. You're more than just my friends, but rather the people I turn to no matter what. Without you and your endless advice from a perspective unlike mine, I wouldn't survive every day. I literally couldn't get through every day without y'all by my side.

All in all, this year had ups and downs, but when I think about the lows, I can't help but be grateful to the people that were there for me at those times. Friends are more than enough to get you through life, and I am so thankful to have so many to celebrate the good and bad times with into the next year.