To: the friends I've made this school year, the friends who have seen me at my low, the friends that have lifted me up, the friends that have cared for me, the friends that cheer me up, the friends that have served alongside me, the friends that stay up late dancing and studying with me, the friends that listen and understand and share with me, to the friend I just met this month,

As the semester dwindles down and summer is right around the corner, I want to take this time to thanks you. You have been a part of my crazy transformation this school year and I wouldn't be as in love with life, in love with Jesus, or in love with this school if it wasn't for you.

You have helped me learn big life lessons about listening, being intentional, being vulnerable, forgiveness, loving others, seeking Christ, and being myself. Before coming in August on freshman move-in day, I was prepared to transfer to a different school because I thought I'd hate it here. I thought I wouldn't make any friends. I thought that this was the wrong choice and that I wouldn't belong.

But you, my dear friends, made me feel like I belonged. For the first time in my life I found true community where I feel safe and don't have to hide any part of who I am. I'm able to laugh, pray, serve, cry, share my struggles, share my pain, and share my love with you. Before you, I put on a mask of happiness everyday at school because I didn't really have any friends that I could be my entire self around and built walls that I thought nobody would ever penetrate. Your kindness and love for me even when we just started becoming friends helped soften my heart and allow myself to come out of hiding.

So thank you for loving me the most I've ever felt in my life outside of my family. I can't wait to continue to do life with each of you and to see where we all go.

From: a friend who finally sees the light in people