A week ago I was in Waco, Texas, packing up my belongings and preparing to head home from the greatest week of my life. My heart was heavy as I turned off the lights in my room and took the elevator down for the last time. The lobby of Earle Hall was crowded with campers, parents, and luggage, and the room was abuzz with temporary goodbyes. As ready as I was to get home to my bed and my puppy, I couldn't dismiss the connection I felt with the people around me. These exhausted faces scattered around the room had a new familiarity to me, and I felt suddenly loyal to them. Leaving them, even for a small stretch of time, has been and will continue to be excruciatingly painful. So now, sitting back home in east Texas, I can’t help but think of them and all of the memories made, feeling incredibly thankful. This is my letter to them.
There is nothing in the world like Baylor Line Camp. The leaders are intentional and the activities are crazy fun, but there is nothing like the friendships I made with you guys. I can never thank you all enough.
Remember when we first got to Earle and met our roommates and family groups? There’s always something intimidating about being thrown in to a room of strangers, but you all made it easy. Everyone seemed to have the same eagerness to branch out and introduce themselves. The first late night was an adventure as we navigated the campus without a curfew and settled into chairs outside Moody or explored the far corners of the University. The second day brought the long-awaited trip to Independence. Together we listened to the history of our new home from the inside of the church, bathed in the colors of the stained glass and evening sunlight. I will never forget the sound of 250 voices worshiping together beneath the columns of old Baylor, and will forever remember dancing around and sic’eming beside you all in our brand new line jerseys. The last full day brought Sing and Celebration, both of which brought more singing, dancing, and sweating, than I thought humanly possible. But not even these were my favorite memory. My favorite came later on, in the early hours of the morning, after showering off the fountain-hopping adventure, when I sat at a table with five of you and shared stories. Not a thing can compare to that moment.
So thank you, everyone I did meet at line camp and everyone I didn't. You are family to me. I know that I will make friends outside of our camp, but we will always share the experiences of our camp. Thank you for singing loudly, for saying your major and hometown a million times, and for dancing care-freely in the crowded backyard of Common Grounds. Thank you for making me laugh with your ridiculous Sing acts. Thank you for the late night talks, for being my suite mates, for eating good cafeteria food with me, for saying hello, and for smiling when you passed. My heart holds a special place for every one of you. You have given me a delicious glimpse into what the next four years hold. Thank you so much. I'll see you this fall.
Sic'em.
