Dear Graduating Senior,

Today’s the day. The day you (may) have been waiting for since you first walked into your high school that September day four years ago. There’s been so much anticipation, but yet this day arrived way faster than you ever expected. I know, I was there a little less than a year ago, waking up on that hot, summer day with anticipation in my bones and a bittersweet feeling in my stomach. This day, a day you’ll remember for the rest of your life, has arrived. Enjoy it.

You’ll take a minute or two and look around your bedroom, staring at the same four walls you’ve woken up to everyday for the past 13 years’ worth of school days. Girls, you’ll slip on that dress you’ve had picked out for weeks and finalize your hair and makeup, heels in hand until the very last minute. Boys, you’ll put on that dress shirt and pants and tie that tie perfectly straight (thanks to your mom). You’ll eventually make your way downstairs, where your parents are giving you those bittersweet smiles paired with the watery eyes. Your mom especially will give you a big hug, telling you that she can’t believe this day has arrived. Enjoy it.

You’ll arrive at your high school campus early, walking through the ever-growing crowds of your classmates, searching for your people before you have to find your spot in line. Everyone’s smiling, taking pictures, decked out in the cap and gown of your school’s colors. Well, take a good look around because these people, your classmates, the ones who you’ve grown up with in that hometown of yours since kindergarten, are all going to go their separate ways soon, as will you. Everyone around you is going down a different path after today, but that’s life. Some people may be going to the same schools, but you’re all going to experience college differently and uniquely. Enjoy it.

You’ll hear the chattering crowd and the band playing “Pomp and Circumstance” loud and proud. With a big grin on your face, you’ll make the slow walk down the aisle to your seat, paired with the person supposedly similar to you in height. You’ll look into the crowd and find your crazily-waving parents and siblings; know that they’re so proud of you, and so happy to see you succeed. They’re a major reason as to how you’ve gotten to where you’re standing today, about to receive your diploma. Enjoy it.

You’ll look back on your years of high school. Sitting in that hot, stuffy environment, sweating through your cap and gown, you’ll think about your freshman year and those nerve-wracking, awkward days walking the halls of your new school, the school that you’ve essentially now conquered. You’ll remember your sophomore year, the year you started to get the hang of things and began to find yourself. You knew your place in high school at the time, but couldn’t wait to be an upperclassman. You’ll think about your junior year, definitely the hardest year of school yet, full of advanced classes and senior year looming closely in the back of your mind. A smile will come to your face as you look back on your senior year. Trust me, your senior year (especially the last few months) are days you’re going to remember forever. Whether it was dancing with your best friends (and super cute date) at your senior prom, or bonding with your class like never before on Senior Skip Day, you’ll look back on your senior year fondly. Enjoy it.

You’ll eventually make your way up to the stage, after hearing what feels like speech after never-ending speech. You’ll be smiling uncontrollably and will nervously shake hands with your counselors and principal. You’ll feel that diploma in your hand and will want to jump for joy, right there in front of everyone. But you won’t, you’ll return to your seat (succeeding in not falling) and sit amongst your classmates once more, for the final time. You’ll be presented as the Class of 20__, and the crowd will burst with applause and cheering. It will happen all too quickly. Enjoy it.

You’ll probably want to go out with your friends tonight, but give your family some of your time as well. They’re so incredibly happy for you, and want to be a part of this major milestone of yours. Let them, you’ll be off to college soon and will be missing them more than anything. You’ll have a night surrounded by the ones you love, whether at a graduation party or on the couch at home, and you’ll feel a wonderful feeling of accomplishment and completeness. You’ve earned it. This day, your graduation day, will fly by faster than you can imagine, just like those four years of high school. Enjoy it.

Sincerely,

A 2016 graduate