I knew I would make friends in college, but I never thought I’d make the friends I have today.

They are friends I can see sitting watching me walking down the aisle, and my kids calling them “aunt”, or “uncle.” So here is a letter of thank you’s because you guys have been there for some of the most life-changing things in my life.

Thank you for always being there. Always picking up the phone, or picking me up at two a.m. when I need a friend, or when I don’t want to be alone. Thank you for always being there for late night homework dates, and McDonald trips down the road. We have for sure eaten way too many chicken nuggets – if that’s even a thing.

Thank you for the day we went apple picking. Thank you for being my family while we’re all away from our own. That day was the best day of this semester so far. The apple picking, and petting the goats. Running down and back between the apple trees. The photo ops, and the laughter filling the atmosphere. It is a day I will never forget.

Thank you for the times we got ready together before going out. The smell of burning hair, and makeup covering the countertops. Thank you for helping me pick out my outfits, even though I always wear the same one every party. We always walk into a party as “squad goals” smiles on our faces, and laughter following us wherever we go.

Thank you for wiping the tears away when I felt like my world was crumbling. From knee surgeries to family emergencies. You guys are always there to hold me and listen to my frantic talking while I’m having a meltdown. You guys somehow always make me laugh while I’m crying, but it honestly gets the tears to stop flowing.

Lastly, thank you for being my home away from home. You guys are more of a family, then some of my family members. You’re there when my other family can’t be there.

Sure, you don’t replace the love of my family members, and the softness of my cat or dog. But you’re the home away from home. You make the loneliness go away. You never make me feel like I’m alone. You’re the home I’m homesick from when I’m away.