Being tasked with writing a piece aiming to summarize one’s entire college experience may be daunting to some, but when I was granted the opportunity to do so, I knew exactly what I was going to write about. They say the people make the place and nothing has proven to be more true over my four years at the University of Connecticut. Sometimes it feels like nothing I say or do could ever be enough to accurately express the love I feel for my five best friends, but I’m willing to give it a shot.
To Liana, thank you for being a great listener. I am sure you know by now that I can definitely talk (and maybe yell sometimes) and there has never been a moment when you make me feel guilty for expressing my feelings. You have accepted me for who I am, even if it can be loud and unapologetic at times and do so with kindness. You are gentle and understanding and I am grateful to have you as a role model.
To Lexy, thank you for being everyone’s number one fan. You are the world’s greatest cheerleader and always make me feel accomplished no matter what. Sometimes you make me feel like a celebrity — just ready to applaud me even if the only task I completed that day was getting out of bed. You are able to find beauty in the mundane and celebrate the little things in life. You are teaching me how to see the world and myself for all the magic that it is, and I am so thankful for that.
To Trevor, thank you for being so loyal. Our friendship has always felt extremely secure. You never let me forget how much you love me and that you would bend over backwards just to make me smile. I feel safe when I am with you and know that even when I am at my worst, you will see the good in me. I think I knew right away that when I met you, I would have a friend for life and I cannot wait to see our futures unfold together.
To Tess, thank you for your guidance. I know I can come to you with any problem and you will give me the most sound, loving and honest advice. You are always willing to lend a shoulder to lean on and never make me feel less than for asking for help. You are easy to talk to, and I can’t even count on two hands the number of times you talked me off a ledge. I am so grateful to have a friend that will weather any storm with me.
To Riley, thank you for being so accepting. You know me inside and out and you have never, not once, made me feel insecure for being who I am. I can tell you anything (and I often do) and you never look at me differently. We have been together at our highest and lowest and there is no one else I would have rather done it with. Not that it’s over yet — you can’t get rid of me just because college is ending. I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I know that whatever happens, we’ll be doing it together.
I am glad to be leaving college with a degree, but there is no greater accomplishment than experiencing true friendship. I don’t know what I did to deserve such an amazing group of people to walk into my life, but I will forever be grateful that I was graced with their presences. I love you guys and congratulations to us!