"We didn't know we

were making memories

we just knew we

were having fun" -Anonymous

Can you believe freshman year is over already? I feel like I just moved in yesterday and now I'm packing up my boxes and transporting them into the back of the car. This year has been a rollercoaster and a half for most of us and getting through it was no easy task. Of course we probably wouldn't have been able to make it through a majority of those long nights alone, am I right? It all began at orientation, couple hundred kids all so nervous to stay one night, never mind thinking about having to stay a whole year from home. We moved in: boxes stuffed into a cart up to our new rooms. We made new friends through various awkward ice breakers. We had our first late night studying, which lasted way longer than we ever anticipated. We went to our first party together, took some "L's" to say the least but we're still here. We learned our lessons: don't stay out too late the night before a big exam or you may fail. We made it through our first ever college finals and actually survived them (barely). We went to our first spring baseball game of the year, "Sweet Caroline"... bum bum bum, and we made it all the way to end of freshman year, including not wanting to leave those we've come so close with.

Your friends have had your back since day one, despite the many times they shouldn't have put up with you and still did. Without you all, I wouldn't be sitting here tearing up about how much you all mean to me. If you think about it, your college friends are the ones you'll have in life: standing by your side, being your bridesmaids, and being your moral support every day for the rest of your days. I honestly can say that you all have my heart forever and ever. At first, you were all the reason I continued the rest of the semester seeing as I was extremely home sick, but now you're the reason why I do what I do everyday. You kept me going at my lows, you kept me grounded when I felt lost, and you were there for me when I thought the world was crumbling.

Thank You for being my number ones and supporting me through my toughest times, which was usually followed by multiple cartons of Ben and Jerry's each week. You pushed me out of my comfort zone and led me to be who I am today. You made me walk when I wanted to Uber ("Uber everywhere") , and even discouraged me from spending all my money in one day, my parents and my bank account thank you for that. I enjoyed every second of this past year being beside you lovely people, and I wouldn't trade you for the world.

We've met each others' families and know each others' friends by heart. We spent hours talking about our high school years, our memories, and our childhoods. We played Cards Against Humanity way too many times, and laughed harder each and every time. We attended our first marches together, we stood up for what was right and faced freedom in a whole new way. We dressed up for a night on the town and ate canoli's like nobodies business. We became student leaders and embraced a whole new take on school spirit. We truly have made the best of this year and I can't thank you enough for being the bestest friends in the entire universe.

As I pack up my last box, I reflect on all the people I was blessed to meet this year. Whether we're going in separate directions or returning in the fall, know how important you were to me and all that was my freshman year. We may be far in distance but never in the heart. Cheers to all that was this past year, until next year my loves.

So Much Love

xoxo

-Sophia