To the ones that have already seen me at my absolute worst and at my very best.

When I left for college almost a year ago, I knew I was going to make friends. I didn’t know how or who they would be, but I knew that somehow I would meet people that I got along well enough with to get me through day to day. I even had a feeling I would meet maybe one really special person to call my best friend.

I was wrong.

What I didn’t know was that I would meet people I connected with the instant we met. I didn’t know I would meet people that I have only known for a few months but already can’t possibly imagine my life without.I didn't meet people I just got along well enough with; I met people that filled holes in my life I didn't even know I had. I didn't meet one really special person; I was lucky enough to meet groups of them, all of whom I can call my best friends.

Already, I can say we’ve been through it all. We’ve gotten through homesickness and exams and heartbreak because for every bad time, there have been twice as many good times. And you have showed me how to turn any bad day into a good day.

Homesickness turned into laughter and sleepovers surrounded by my new family that was always just a text or a few doors away.

Late nights studying turned into midnight coffee and donut runs and 2 a.m. dance breaks that probably woke up the rest of our hallway, but we didn't care because we were having too much fun.

Heartbreak turned into girls’ nights out that no boy could ever ruin and we became the heartbreakers ourselves. Every day is an adventure and every moment is a memory. I just want to say thank you for everything you have done for me over the past year, which is more than I thought anyone could ever do for me.

Thank you for guiding me toward every right decision, but still supporting me even when I make the wrong one (which is always).

Thank you for playing devil’s advocate and calling me out when I'm overreacting, but still never failing to be on my side.

Thank you for being able to spot boys that aren’t worth my time way before I can.

Thank you for always reminding me I’m beautiful, even when I’m in my sweatpants with last night’s makeup smudged all over my face.

Thank you for listening to me vent constantly about everything from bad hair days to failing an exam and never getting tired of me.

Thank you for always being willing to dance like an idiot at a party with me, because we know as long as we're together we are the best dancers in the room.

Thank you for brightening my day, every day, because you know exactly how to make me smile, even when we are a hundred miles apart.

Thank you for acting as my mom and telling me I messed up when I need you to, but still never judging me for anything I do, no matter how stupid it may be.

And thank you for helping me find the balance between responsibility and insanity. For every time you showed me how to act like a real adult, there was a spontaneous dorm room dance party. For every night we went out in our classiest dresses and heels, there was a night we stayed in eating raw cooke dough and watching bad Netflix documentaries in our sweatpants.

Everyone says that most people find their spouse in college. Me? I found my bridesmaids, my best friends, my sisters. Maybe it’s fate or chance or luck, but somehow I managed to find my people. We argue, we cry, we kiss and make up, because that is what family does. And the thing about family is, we’re stuck together forever.

Love,

Katie