Dear Summer 2016,

Are thank you notes a thing that people do anymore? Well, this is one of those. As I sit here in bed at 12 am on my last night in Delaware, I can't help but reflect on all of the amazing and not so amazing memories of the past three months. Summer 2016, you were a rollercoaster full of ups and downs, loops and corkscrews, and possibly even one of those launch things. You know, the ones where the ride counts down, "3... 2... 1," and suddenly you're going 75 miles per hour.

This summer, I visited my middle school, I reunited with friends I hadn't seen in a full year, I spontaneously went to a concert 3.5 hours away from my house, I woke up at 4am in New York City to go the Good Morning America Summer Concert Series, I went to the beach and lounged by the pool. It wasn't all fun and games. I worked, I went to my grandfather's funeral, I struggled with my mental health and self acceptance and, to top it all off, I even saw my dad for the first time in four years. Let me also add that I watched all 6 seasons of Dance Moms this summer. I'm not sure if that's an up or a down.

I'll never forget running around Rehoboth Beach or University of Delaware with my friends hunting Pokemon or staying up until 5:30 am playing board games. I'll always cherish the sleepovers with my best friend and our time spent in the ocean. I'll forever remember the nights after work when my mom and I watched Gilmore Girls before bed. Summer 2016, you were unforgettable.

Thank you for giving me the time to get more in touch with myself. Slowly but surely I made progress this summer towards loving myself. I walked on the boardwalk without a shirt covering my bikini, which is a big deal for me. I finally opened up a little about my feelings, which is something I pretend to be good at but really am awful with. I had no-makeup days, I wore tank tops, I ate healthier. I loved myself. All of these things may seem irrelevant, but they are worthy of celebration in my mind.

So, Summer, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for letting me laugh until my abs hurt and cry until my head hurt, for letting me reconnect with people, for letting me make new friends, for letting me have cuddle time with my dogs and for letting me be open to finding acceptance. In a few days I will be back at college sitting in physics or neurobiology counting down the days until we meet again.

Thanks again,

Julia