To all my graduating friends:

It's difficult for me to verbalize just how much your companionship has meant to me. Not that I don't know how to express those emotions, per say - it's just that any semblance of eloquence and/or composure I may possess swan dives right out the window when I try.

But this isn't the time for self-depreciation - this is to you, all we've shared, and all you've accomplished. I mean -- you're graduating! You're going out into the real world equipped with everything that you've learned over the past four years of college and ready to make a name for yourself. The entire world rests at your fingertips, eagerly anticipating how you're going to sculpt and reshape your own little corner of it for the better. You're going to soar. And as much as I'm going to miss you down here, your wings are too vast, your potential too great, for me to tether you any longer.

I cherish every single impromptu misadventure, all-night editing session, anime marathon, silly GroupMe exchange, and Smash Bros. match we were able to share over these past one-and-a-half years - even if we were unable to meet up or hang out as often as I would have liked. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd have those sorts of experiences in college - I had resigned myself to staring wistfully on the periphery, exiled due to anxiety and neurological differences. That was all I knew for many years; even when social opportunities slipped within my grasp, I could not bring myself to latch on. I still wrestle with these demons on a daily basis, and one of my greatest regrets is that I could not overcome them in time to fully capitalize on the emotional connections we shared.

But in spite of that, you offered me a sanctuary where I could roost, a seat at the table, a place to belong. You proved me wrong, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

But you've done so, so much more than notice me welcome me into the fold of collegiate life and filmmaking. You've co-parented/babysat my creative endeavors with inimitable finesse and expertise. You've widened my perspectives with interesting thought-provoking ideas, anecdotes, and world views. You've challenged me to be the best I can be and made me laugh more times than I can count. You've offered opportunities for intellectual engagement and emotional connection through near-daily interactions. It sucks that geographic distance will put an end to that, but at least we'll always have nostalgic recollections to bide the time until we can finally reunite in person again.

I suppose I should keep the rest of this brief - you've got a world to conquer, after all! You've had such an impact on my college experience, and I can only hope I've affected you even a tenth of that amount. You've finally got a chance to show off to the world all the qualities that make you such an amazing friend and human being - your creativity, wit, observational skills, eloquence, kindness, humor, and passion. Pissed as I may be at you for leaving me and my fellow underclassmen behind, I am so, so proud of you and everything you've accomplished. Grab that diploma with pride - you've more than earned it!

With love,

Your fellow Camel, filmmaking cohort, fellow nerd, and kouhai