Dear drama family,

You were my favorite thing about high school.

When I first decided to join the drama club, I was nervous. I always considered myself to be comfortably situated on the shy side of life, never described by anyone as outspoken or fearless. I wasn't sure how I would even make it through auditions without descending into a full-blown panic attack. But I did. And I got a part. And you helped me through my first performance. I still remember how happy I was backstage on opening night when you offered me good luck hugs and told me to break a leg. I felt at home. Like I finally had a place.

Over the next few years, we got close. We spent countless hours together on and off stage. You even welcomed me into your home and treated me like your own family. Your parents fed me dinner and shuttled me around as if I were their own kid and you were like the siblings I never had. Then, we would joke around endlessly at practice, burning off all of the pent up energy left over from the long school day (much to the dismay of our director). We laughed together about messing up scenes, we stressed together when things got tough, and we cried together when our shows came to an end. We got on each other's nerves a lot. But that never mattered after finishing a great performance. We fought like a family, and made up like one, too. We definitely weren't perfect, but we were us.

Our traditions were passed down through the years,too, being added on to as we went. I'll never forget the taste of pre-show brownies washed down with Tradewinds iced tea or our backstage rituals that would help us to get into character. And after the shows ended, we'd spend even more time together by always going out to eat together (at the same two restaurants, so as to add to the nostalgia rushing through me at this very moment.) Perkins' chicken fingers never tasted so good as when I was surrounded by my best friends.

And you know what? There was never any problem that we couldn't work through together. When one us had trouble remembering our lines, the rest of us would offer to practice with them. If someone did badly on a test and was upset during practice, we would make them laugh so that they would feel better. When one of us made a mistake during a performance, we did everything we could to support them and tell them that it would all be okay. There was never any judgement, either. We accepted each others' faults and quirks, no matter how bizarre. And I think that's what made us so strong.

Without you, I wouldn't be the person that I am today. You gave me confidence and a safe place to be myself during a phase of awkwardness and great personal change. You showed me what real friendship was. And for that, I am forever grateful. I love you guys.

Sincerely,
The girl you taught to be herself.