May has officially settled in and the weather is finally starting to warm up. As soon as I started to feel the warm sunshine against my skin after what seemed like a never-ending winter, I knew I was getting closer and closer to being back in my hometown for the summer.

I know that there are a handful of people who really don’t like going home for a variety of reasons. But personally, I always look forward to coming back home for the summer time. I still get sad leaving Lexington and all of my college friends, but I am really thankful that I have a solid group of friends back home who make me look forward to coming back to Tinley Park.

Even though we are all on different paths in life and go to school in five different states, you all still manage to keep me grounded while I am 363 miles away from the one place I know best.

I’m grateful that I can text any one of you and I would get the same level of support at any given time. I know that whenever I need a laugh or some motivation I can open our group message to an endless supply of encouragement and Spongebob gifs. Even when we’re not altogether in the same room it still feels like it, and that is something I will always appreciate.

During the times that we do manage to get everyone together, I can count on laughing until it feels like I’ve grown the six-pack of abs I’ve always wanted. Whether we’re putting our friendship to the ultimate test in an escape room, jumping across couches while playing True American or planning a weekend trip to Kalamazoo filled with Two Fellas (thank you Joey and Anj for introducing me to this game changer), I know it’s times like these that I will look back on when I’m a saggy old lady who just wants to send it one more time.

It makes me sad to think that this summer might be one of the last where we’re all home together, but I’m excited to see the cool places that you guys end up in so I can start planning my weekends accordingly.

For now, I am looking forward to a summer filled with endless Spongebob references and the countdown until Sean’s inevitable liver failure.

Thank you for sticking with me throughout high school and the craziness of college.

Thank you for always making life fun and interesting.

And most of all.... thank you for not spoiling Infinity War for me when I was one of the only people who didn't see it yet.

See you all soon in the 708.