To Those I Love As I Go,

Yes, the day has nearly come. Some of us have dreamed about it for years, whereas others shudder in fear at the thought of creating a whole new life in a matter of days. Some of us are this happy medium in between -- those who are eager to turn a page on a new chapter in life, but are not quite ready to let go of the pages that make up who we are from our past that we loved. This day I reference is college move-in day, the day that officially marks the commencement of the next four years of our lives and new beginnings.

Due to this crazy, head pounding reality, I created this article in hopes that it be treated as a letter of sorts. One addressed to both the people I love that helped me get this far and to all of the rising college freshman out there in the same boat.

So here is to those I love. First and foremost, thank you. Thank you for my childhood and for this new opportunity. Thank you for the countless sleepovers, laughter and friends who I have had since diapers and sandboxes as well as those who may be newer to my life, but nonetheless are no less important. Thank you for the experiences, memories, mistakes and successes that helped shape the young woman you feel comfortable sending off. It’s because of you that I have reached this point. It’s because of you that I have the confidence to bring my old self out into my new world.

I want to embrace this journey with you. While yes, as you know I am thirsting for my independence, but in no way does that lessen my love for you and the importance of your role in my life. Also, because of this, just know I will need you along the way. No matter how “adult” I may acclaim myself, never will that ever lessen your value to me and hopefully mine to you.

So now as I go, with the short few days that are left, thank you all again. To put it simply, I love you. Yes, the next chapter I turn to is riveting and exciting, but it will never surpass the eighteen years of life spent with you all in creating the moments that made me, me.

With love as I go,

Christine W., A College Freshman