It still feels like yesterday that we tossed our graduation caps into the sky, awaiting our futures. But at the same time, as I observe the changes, both subtle and significant that have happened in each and every one of you, the reality that so much time has passed and that we really are growing up continues to amaze me. Even going into Thanksgiving break, I remember feeling really anxious over whether or not things would still be the same after so much distance and lack of communication between us.

I started to compare our friendship to my college friendships, wondering if our bond was still as strong as before. But then, I realized that this comparison wasn't justified at all. That unexplainable bond will always remain. Yes, despite meeting new people, moving to different states, and even undergoing personal life changes, how could we forget the good ole high school days?

Every time we meet again, we still crack the same jokes. We still reminisce about old high school crushes, share horror stories about our old teachers, wonder where so and so ended up and how are they doing. I admit, maybe some things have changed. Sorry if I didn't uphold some of the promises that we made each other like how we promised to text constantly, FaceTime at least once a month, and just overall update each other on life. Maybe that yearning and nostalgia that we felt for each other our first semester freshman year has dissipated, not because we've forgotten about each other, but maybe because life has just gotten in the way. (Of course, it was inevitable that we turned into a cliche.)

Growing up, I remember my dad telling me about the sad reality that sometimes friendships do tend to change-sometimes we purposely choose to end them, sometimes we drift due to distance, or maybe they even naturally end on their own. But guess what? The impact that each and every one of you has made on my life will never be forgotten. It is undeniable that college friends have that privilege of watching us emerge into adulthood. We experienced and will experience so many milestones with them too: our first college party, living independently from our parents and rooming with another person, college graduation, and watching each other receive a true adult job. It is easy to see why some people find it hard to reconnect with their high school friends, simply because they can't always be there to witness these significant life changes. It's sad to think about, but sometimes it just becomes too difficult to relate to each other anymore.

Despite everything, no matter what happens, I want to tell you guys that I won't ever forget *our* firsts, our milestones. Maybe our college friends will be there for our adult years, but we were there for each other during everything else-the awkward years (pre-contact days and braces of course), teenage birthdays, the first time we each got our driver's licenses and that pride we felt as we witnessed each other pull into that student parking lot. We've memorized every horrible yearbook photo, struggled in French classes together, and comforted each other through both good and bad days. Just because we're in a different life stage now doesn't mean these memories aren't everlasting.

You all know who you are. I want to let you all know that I feel privileged to have been a part of your lives, and I'm proud to see how far you've come. Some of you have found love, some have gained the confidence to push themselves out of their comfort zones... You've joined Greek life, dance teams, have joined fellowships and explored a deeper relationship with God. You all have had so much personal growth and experienced so many things that have shaped who you are and who you will become in the future. To my high school friends: you'll always be impossible to forget.