As I sit here writing this, I have already officially moved out. Willow 5332, what can I say? You were my first home away from home. It feels like it was just last week that I was moving all my stuff into my third floor room on that humid August day. I had packed up my entire life and moved into my newly acquired room that I shared with two other people.
Although you are only 45 minutes from home, living away from home was definitely an adjustment. You were the home to many firsts in my life: my first kiss, my first roommates, and my first year of college, to name a few. We’ve had our shares of ups and downs. First semester, I rarely ventured beyond your walls. I’ll be the first to admit that I was a homebody. Second semester, however, brought us new adventures. I made new friends and was rarely ever home.
Now that I have turned my keys over, it’s bittersweet. There were days I would pack up my backpack with the intent on not coming back until bedtime, while there were others that I didn’t leave the confines of my bed. I have left you for good. Never again will my ID swipe me into 53 or my front door be right at the foot of willow hill. Even though I’m only moving to the 1’s, I know things will be different, with new roommates, new experiences, and new neighbors.
Thank you for teaching me all about life outside of my hometown. I have met so many new and unique individuals that I never would have had the opportunity to meet without you. Thank you for teaching me the importance of headphones, as the walls are just as thin as everyone tells you and quiet hours are a mere suggestion. Thank you for giving me a place to call home. No matter how bad of a day I was having, I could always count on you to be there. I had the pleasure of having an amazing neighbor across the hall who was there on those really tough days.
As much as I may have complained about you, I know that my freshman year would have been completely different had I lived somewhere else. To the future inhabitants of 5332, I hope that you have the time of your lives in my former room. Please, take advantage of the view, it's one of the best you'll find on campus.
