Dear Squad,
The day that we flipped our tassels and walked across the stage in our over-sized gowns at graduation, something in me clicked. "I really am not going to see you guys every day anymore." The four years that I spent with you came to this moment. We were growing up. We were on our way to pursuing our life goals. I was afraid and intimidated. It felt as if I was losing a part of me. I did not know what would happen to us after we walked out the doors of our high school for the very last time. This was the perfect moment to cue up the song from "The Breakfast Club's" closing credits.
So many thoughts were running through my mind. I feared that we would forget about each other or that we would change. The thought of us making new friends and going our own ways made me cringe. I was being a little selfish and insecure that I would be losing all of you to your roommates who you love dearly or the girls from your English class who you study with in the library, but I should've known that our bond is stronger than the miles between us.
Thank you for all of the time that we've spent together and all of the effort that we put into meeting up with each other over breaks. It never really feels like we're apart. Thank you for claiming the lunch table in the eleventh grade section of the cafeteria which provided me with great comfort. If even one of us were absent, it would throw off the arrangement of our subconsciously assigned seats. Thank you for remembering all of my favorite snacks from the school store. That just proves that we know each other so well and that we spent way too much time talking about food. Thank you for making me feel better when I got rejected from my top-choice school and thank you for throwing a "rejection soirée" for me, which included a trip to the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Applebee's. You all are always up for adventure, which is what I admire about each of you. Whether it is visiting the planetarium or going to Disney World, you are ready to go. Thank you for being the funniest people who I have ever met in my life and for reminding me that I am only a phone call, text message, or Snapchat away from all of you and your priceless humor. Thank you for taking on my bad days and helping me fix them, even when we're miles apart. You are all still the same bright people who I met in high school. Thank you for never changing.
Most importantly, thank you for showing me how far my love can really extend. You have all showed me what it's really like to be true to myself and those around me. I have become comfortable in my own skin and I am ready to take on the world because of your never-ending support.
As I walked into my first class in college I was disappointed that I did not see any of your faces in the lecture hall, but I was happy that I could potentially be a great friend to someone in the room because of all that you have taught me over the years. I hope that you are spreading your love and wisdom to your new roommates and study buddies. You will never be replaced in my life. I am truly grateful that you are all more than just a group of cool kids I met in high school. You have become a part of my family. I wish the best to all of you: my future scientist, makeup artist, writer, animal welfare activist, and psychologist, but most importantly, my "squad." As Walt Disney once said, "If you can dream it, you can do it." Continue to leave your mark on the entire world as you've already done on mine.
