For all of my life, I have lived in the greatest state of all fifty: Ohio (that's not a biased opinion, it is a fact). Everything and everyone I have ever known is there, but I currently go to school in Missouri (not as cool as Ohio obviously, but still pretty neat). That's about three states away from my life back home. While I'm only five hours away from home and it doesn't seem that bad, sometimes that distance really gets to me. So here's to all of the people I've left since coming to school!
To my oldest friends:
You've seen me at all of my awkward stages in life (yes, there were multiple) and you still choose to love me everyday. You're amazing because of that. You know that, right? You know you're amazing? I love you and although I don't get to see you all the time because of the distance and our schedules, I would travel across the country on foot to see you. You are my bestest and greatest friends and I can't wait for us to be in each others' weddings someday and watch our kids grow up together. Of course, that's very very far off in the future, but I know you'll still be around.
To my high school friends:
You guys filled my life with smiles and laughter and pure joy for four years! And while that's not a lot of time in the grand scheme of things, you've made a huge impact on my life and I'm so very lucky that we have remained friends. After a semester and a half at college, it's still weird to me that we don't eat lunch together everyday and we don't get talk everyday either, but hey, that's alright. I mean we're all busy, but I'm so very thankful that I found all of you!
To my cousins:
You guys are some of the greatest people that I know. I am so incredibly lucky that I got to grow up with you. And while we're all splitting up within the next few years, we will still have cousin sleepovers all the time when we're in town. Grandma will make sure of that. I'm thankful that I got the bunch of you as my built-in best friends from birth. Can't wait for the next family vacation to goof off with all of you for a week. Maybe next time I won't be sleeping in a closet though...?
To my grandparents:
I probably spent as much time at your houses as I did my own growing up! Besides my cousins, you were my best friends. Maybe because you spoiled me or maybe because you loved me unconditionally. Either way, I loved you (and I still do). But you all have been there every step of the way. Every recital, every play, every graduation. Thank you for being my second and third set of parents. I'm so beyond blessed that I got to grow up with all four of you.
To my little sister:
I know you're not so little anymore, but I still think you're 8. I feel bad that I left you all alone with the parental unit, but I thought I'd give you a few years as the only child. You're doing great things, kid. I'm so very proud of you. I'm sad that I'm missing everything that's happening in your life, but I want you to know how much I love and care for you, even though you don't like me half of the time.
To my parents:
I know I am difficult and stubborn and frustrating most of the time, but I learned from the best! I'm kidding of course. You are my biggest inspirations in life. You're strong and caring and knowledgable and everything I hope to be when I become an adult (because let's face it, I am still a total child). I want to thank you for everything you have done to provide for me. You have given me so many opportunities to become the best person I possibly can be. I know I mess up sometimes (a lot) but I'm promise I'm trying because although I want a lot for myself in life, above all, I want to make you happy and proud. Even if that means I still have to eat all of my green beans when I come home...
To everyone included on this list or not:
You have impacted my life in some way and that has made me the person I am today. For however you helped shape me as a person, thank you. You are all incredible people! Above all I want you to remember that I miss you and love you.
