Wow. This is even harder than I thought. I wish I could just stick you all in my boxes of stuff and take you with me. Thank you for the love, patience and acceptance you've shown me over the years.
To the friends I've known all of my life, thank you. Without you, I would not be the same person I am today. Without you, I would not have had someone to lean on every day of my life. Saying goodbye seems unreal as it feels like yesterday we were in elementary school together, without a care in the world. As our journeys make have a fork in the road during this season, that does not mean you won't always be in my heart. It feels strange that this is the first time you won't live ten minutes away from me. We can't have random sleepovers and lunches together. We won't be at church together. Thank you though for your investment. Thank you for being there for me during all seasons of my life.
To the friends I've met while growing up, thank you as well. You are some of the most amazing people I have ever met in my entire life. I feel as if we have been friends since birth because of the bond that we have now. Thank you for becoming my friend in more recent years of my life and choosing me. You are grounded and help me in my journeys through life just as I help you. That's how we work. We are a team.
To the friends I met at school, thank you. You've taught me so many wonderful things about different cultures and hobbies that I never would have known of otherwise. It's people like you that are also open to hearing what I believe and enjoy as well. You taught me that you don't have to agree with someone to care for them and show them love.
To the friends I met at church, thank you. I so appreciate the times you prayed for me, and pushed me farther and deeper into The Lord's unfailing love. Thank you for reminding me that my salvation is in Christ and not based upon my works. You are friends that I am so thankful for you because we had the opportunity to see each other as Christ's child.
Time has flown faster than I could have ever imagined, but I am so blessed to have had you all to walk through life with. College is new for all of us, and although we may not be with each other in this next season of our lives, I hope we can come back and pick back up right where we left off. I cannot believe we are at this point of spreading our wings and flying, but it's time. It's time for every one of us to embark on our new adventures and begin again. It's time to start fresh. This is your clean slate.
Love,
Your friend
