To my friends from home,

When I first started to write this letter, I addressed it to "my friends back home," but then realized that none of us are home. We are all off in college or the service, or both for some of us, starting to embark on the path of our own lives. Of course we have all made our own separate friends wherever we may be, but that does not mean I do not think of you all everyday, or that you have all been replaced. You all are still undeniably my best friends, and hold an even more special place in my heart now that we are apart.

We might not talk or see each other everyday anymore, but I know once we are all home, life will resume to being the way it was right before we all left in August. I miss our Chipotle or Border dates (Mexican food is without a doubt our favorite), nights spent in Boston, trips to Kings to bowl, and just sitting around one of our houses eating takeout, playing Cards Against Humanity or the flip-flop game, and watching movies.

Although, I know I have found a great group of friends in college, and so have all of you. I hope one day we can intertwine our separate lives like we have already started to, and introduce our new friends to each other. It makes me happy to see all of you happy, and having the time of your lives.

Like the quote says, "true friendship isn't about being inseparable. It's about being separated and nothing changes." This quote is what our friendship is all about. We might be separated by hundreds of miles in distance, but the moment we all see each other again, it will be like nothing changed. Certainly we will have new stories to tell, but will also have time to reminisce on the endless amount of days we spent together, and the days we will spend together in the future.

I was told before coming to college that my high school friendships would weaken and never be the same again. I did not believe this, and still continue not to. Our friendships will not weaken by distance, but only grow stronger.

I cannot wait to see all of you soon, and hear about all of the fantastic things you all have going for you. Remember: only a month from now we will see each other face to face! I am so excited.

I will see you all soon, and until then, remember to stay in touch. Only if it's once in a while, I like to check in and hear how you all are.

Love always,

Haley, or as you all call me, Hale