High school seems like it was so long ago. The people that I left back home seem farther away now than they ever were. I still remember the day perfectly; It was during a fire drill that I decided to check my email. That's when I saw it, my first college acceptance letter. I could feel that this email from Saint Leo University solidified my future, that I was finally on my way to college. I was so excited, basically telling everyone and anyone that would listen. However, when the initial excitement wore off, I realized that besides one person, none of my other friends from high school were going away to college. Many of them were staying home to go to a local school. I realized that they probably would not be able to relate to a lot of the situations I would be experiencing, therefore having conversations with them would be harder than ever.

When move in day was only a few days away, we all decided to have a get together at a local park and say our goodbyes for a while, until I came back for a break. When the time to go home finally came however, there was always some excuse for why we could not hang out. Even though we did eventually get together a few times, the vibe felt different. We were not the same group of friends we had been before I left.

I understand that people's lives take different courses and that nothing can stay the same as it once was. Maybe it was naïve of me to think that everything would be the same when I got back from college. I thought we would be able to pick up where we left off. That, however, did not happen.

So here it is.

Dear friends from home,

I know I may be extremely busy during school and I might not text back often. I also know, that as life continued for you guys as a friend group, I was not around. Something that we will always share, however, is all of the times we've had together. The many sleepovers that we stayed up late and watched scary movies, how we always would eat a plethora of snacks the whole night. The times we went to theme parks together, running around the park, trying to ride all of the coasters that we possibly could before that park closed. The times we went on vacation together and had experiences that we never thought we would have. Maybe some of the most memorable are the times we would eat lunch together or just sit and watch television because those are the times that we really connected. From meeting most of you in middle school, to going through our high school years together. I want all of you to know that even if we don't see each other for a while, or even if our friendship is not the same as it once was, I will always be there for you. There will never be a time where you will not be able to call me if you need me. We will always have the connection and shared experiences from our time growing up together. No matter how busy I get in college, and no matter how many new friends I make, I will always love you and consider you a friend, and I hope you feel the same way.