Goodbyes are never easy, especially when the person you're saying goodbye to has been your ride or die for the past seven years. When I had to say goodbye to my best friend, it felt like I was leaving a piece of my life at home. It was like I didn’t know how to make new friends because I always had Erica- I didn't need anyone else. We both knew the moment was coming because it was the day before I had to move in. When we had to say goodbye, neither of us cried, we just stood there and hugged each other for a solid five minutes. Neither of us could really be sad because we were both going to school to become nurses, and I know my best friend is going to kick some butt in nursing school.

You know that feeling you have on a roller coaster, right as you start going down the drop, your stomach sinks? That's what it feels like to say goodbye to my hilarious, down to earth, caring and open best friend. She was always the one who I went to for everything, and I still do, but it's different now that I'm miles away from her. She came in a close second for the hardest goodbye (behind my mom of course) and I wouldn't have it any other away.

Erica Kathleen, I’ll be home soon. If I'm not, my dorm room is always open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I know you're gonna kick major butt in school this fall, and I know you're going to follow in your mother’s footsteps of being one of the best nurses that Michigan has ever seen. I wish you came to school with me, but since you didn’t, don't replace me. Don't forget about me. Most importantly, don't stop being that caring, loving, helpful and stunning girl I know you are.

If someone reading this has the opportunity to become Erica’s friend while I'm gone at school, please cherish her. She’s an amazing person. She deserves the best and some of the best friends in the world like she is to me. If you're lucky enough to talk to her, or hang out with her, you’d understand why I wrote my very first Odyssey article on her.