The last day of high school has come and gone, we’ve all worn that jersey with our number on it for the last time and now it’s been washed and turned in, the lockers are empty, our binders are in the trash, and we are beyond ready for the next step in life. We’ve spent the past four years of our lives planning this next step and we all think we’ve figured out what the perfect move is for each of us. For some of us, the next step keeps us in our hometown, but for others, it’s a big step headed out on our own. Either way, we will probably be more than a few minutes away from our closest friends.
Whether you’re going an hour away, or twelve hours away, there are friends that you are leaving behind. The friends that have been there to bring you food when you didn’t feel good enough to go get it yourself. The friends that were the first to back you up whenever that crazy girl wanted to argue with you on Twitter. The friends that lived up the late nights, prom, bonfires, and thirteen years of schooling with you. These are the amazing people you grew up with and you’re saying goodbye to this summer.
Thank you. Even though, over the years, we may have gone months without speaking because of a disagreement, thank you. Even though we may not have started high school as friends, or we may not be ending it as friends, thank you. We have all come into each other’s lives at some point or another, as a either blessing or a lesson, and sometimes both. To the blessings, you’ve kept me together on the hardest days. You’ve helped me make some tough, but good choices. You’ve always checked on me when you could read the million emotions on my face. To the lessons, you’ve helped me grow up. You’ve shown me what not to look for in friends when I get to college. You've taught me how to handle disappointment. You may not even be a bad person, we just didn’t mesh well, and that’s okay. Either way, I am so thankful for my experience with you and the impact you have had on my life.
As we all move into this next chapter, I can’t wait to see the Instagram posts of you and your new friends. I can’t wait to FaceTime you after months of minimal communication because our classes are so hard. I can’t wait to see you find what you’re passionate about, and do absolutely great in it. I can’t wait for summer reunions with all of you. I will miss all of you incredibly, but I am so excited for us all to accomplish so much more than the halls of our home high school can allow.
Thanks for the memories, and best of luck in your next four years.
