At the age of 18, I often find myself nostalgic, wondering where the time has gone. I feel like just yesterday I sat on my dad's lap, blew out the candles on my birthday cake as I turned nine years old, and held my mom's hand as I crossed the street. I remember the terrifying first day of middle school, and the bittersweet last day of high school. I will never forget the mix of emotions that flooded me as I finally walked out of those doors, a place I had poured my heart into, and committed so much of my time and effort to. I remember the chills I got as I walked across the stage to receive my diploma, and watched hundreds of hats fly into the sky. I remember the pain of saying goodbye to my family. I remember the strangeness of wishing so many friends good luck in their futures, knowing some I might never see again. These were some of the most surreal things I had ever experienced -- until I became a college student.

I sit at my desk and wonder how I could possibly be old. No, eighteen isn't old. It's young. Full of opportunity. My future lies ahead, and I am beyond prepared to go forth and give it my all. But still, I wonder, where did the time go?

I've been told that college is the best time of your life, and so far, I've found that to be very true. It is a time filled with so much personal growth, endless fun, and freedom. However, a sense of innocence is lost. An era is over, and a new one begins.

Never again will I sit on my dad's lap as a little girl, or hold my mom's hand as we cross the street. Gone are the childish, carefree days. Gone are the days of simplicity, when no problem was too large and life was purely blissful. Now, more than ever before, each and every moment spent with family or old friends is cherished. They are the people that shaped me into who I am. The people who picked me up when I fell down, who gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams and plans. Every second spent is a blessing that is utterly invaluable.

Time truly flies by. So soak up every moment, and savor each and every day. Too often, we allow our fast-paced lifestyles to get in the way of appreciating where we are and how far we've come. In the midst of it all, we forget to thank the people we love simply for being there for us. We don't always take the time to realize how wonderful life can be, to stop and smell the roses.

Slow down, and be grateful. Every moment is a gift to be treasured and remembered.