Dear Graduated Friend,

Congratulations on completing yet another stage of your life. You have finished your school, for now, and I’m sure you feel on top of the world. I know you are wary about where your life is headed to next, but I have faith that you will figure that out soon.

I just wanted to take the time to thank you for all that you did in my life in such the short amount of time we had together. It's pretty funny actually how we came to be friends. I was just a little freshman and you a big bad senior. We were unsure of each other at first because I was intimidated by your experience as a college student and you felt somewhat inferior to my innocent first-year self. It wasn’t until we realized we had so much in common that you humbled yourself and took me under your wing, which is something I will forever be grateful for.

I don’t know if you know this, but if it wasn’t for you, my experience just wouldn’t have been the same. You helped me through the difficult beginnings of college. You knew the ropes and helped me through them when all I felt was clueless. Not many seniors would go to the lengths you did, but that’s what makes you such an extraordinary person.

You told me that as a freshman you were once doubting your decision to move all the way across the country, far from everyone at home. You told me that you too were once left out, and put down. You went out of your way to walk with me when all I needed was someone to talk to, to sit with me when all I need was some company, and to hold my arms up when all I needed was a recovering breath after running endless sprints. You became a humble servant of my seemingly helpless cause and I became the student of your knowledgeable ways. In the time and place, we needed each other, and together we changed one another’s lives.

The most important thing you did in my life was bring me closer to God. You may not know it, but you are the main reason why I decided to dig deeper into my faith. Your encouraging words through scripture and assurance of God’s undeniable love for me made me wonder why I wasn’t as close to God as you were. You were there for the high times in my faith and the lowest times. I ran to you when temptation was chasing me and you caught me with open arms. You were un-judging and truthful, speaking honesty in all the places I needed reality in my life. Thank you for waking me up for church every Sunday and eating endless donut holes before the service with me. Thank you for always being down for bible study at any hour of the day. Thank you for sending me endless verses and quotes to give me hope for the next day.

I know you wish you could keep living the college years with me, but your time is now. The world is waiting for you as anxiously as I am to see you again. There has never been someone to influential in my life as you, thank you for being the Paul to my Timothy.

Sincerely,

The Freshman