To my MUsical family,

Greetings from your (former) President! It's strange to be writing you all in the form of a letter on an online platform since I speak to you every day, but I wanted to let you know here just how much I care about you all.

When I say I talk about you all the time, I mean it.

My abroad friends have started making fun of the fact that I must mention you all up at least 5 times a day, whether it's talking about our weird rehearsal tactics or our performances or random things any of you have said. Bringing you all up makes me feel connected to you while I'm so far from home.

I wrote an article one year ago, reflecting on my journey to becoming a part of Measure Up (the name of my a cappella group, for those of you non-Villanova readers). It's crazy to think that another year has passed, and I feel even stronger about how grateful I am that I ended up a part of something so incredible. Being a part of an a cappella group as special as Measure Up is all I ever wanted during college.

It's strange being abroad and seeing everyone in the states return to campus (I felt so European writing that, "the states," but I digress). I feel a certain bittersweetness, yet I am also perfectly happy being where I am at the moment. You all are the exception to this, however.

A cappella is the one thing that my heart is yearning for over here in Europe, as dramatic as it sounds.

I can easily get on the phone and FaceTime my family to feel their love, but there really isn't anything quite like performing in person with your best friends. I miss that feeling of walking into rehearsal and hearing DK playing the piano, seeing Andre decorate the board with a countdown or yelling "yeah Sam!", Danielle finding a daily meme, the banter we have while trying to get everyone to pay attention (TANGENT!) and so, so much more.

Most of all, I miss those moments where we turn off the lights and remember what we are singing about, who we are are singing with, and truly make music.

I hope you all know how much you have shaped my college experience. One of my friends abroad said to me once, "So what you're telling me is that basically your life is a cappella." While that may not be entirely true, I couldn't help but laugh because I think that captures the essence of how I feel about you all. You all drive me crazy but I love you all to death. I hope you know that I have each and every one of your backs entirely, no matter what.

We are one beautifully messy family, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

It hurts my heart to think that I have to go until January to sing with you all again, that tomorrow you will be welcoming in new members. I won't be there to make 12 am (hopefully not much later) phone calls for callbacks, to figure out new member shenanigans and so much more. I won't be there for Parent's Weekend or Spolooza or our Winter Concert (or any of the other fall performances that always seem to pop up). But I know how entirely capable you all are and I can't wait to see the amazing things that happen this semester.

And if any of you new members are out there reading this right now, welcome to the liveliest group of people you'll ever meet. Get ready for Bark Thins, squats during rehearsals (why, you ask? I really couldn't tell you), countless riffs, and a whole lot of laughs. You may not know what you're getting yourself into, but I promise you'll come out with a whole lot of love and family.

Until my return in January, I'll be cheering you all on from 4,000 miles away with my whole heart.

Just keep singing, my loves. I'll see you all soon.

Love always,

Sam