To my new college friends,

I am so thankful that I have met you on this journey that we are on together. I may not have known you until we crossed paths in college, but I am glad that we did meet. You are my new support system away from home, and I am thankful that I have new shoulders to lean on and a group of people to make new inside jokes with.

To my new college friends, you’ll find me ranting to you like you’re my family. I’ll tell you secrets you probably didn’t need to know, and I’ll pop into your room at the most random times and make myself at home. I’ll treat you like family, and protect you if you’re in need of help. I’ll be a shoulder to cry on, and a listening ear if you need one. I’ll be available at all times to talk, unless it’s 4AM on a school night, then I might be a little upset that I’m being woken up. I’ll laugh at your jokes even if they aren’t funny, and I’ll expect you to do the same.

To my new college best friends, boys will never be put above you. College is a place where you will meet lots and lots of new boys, but I promise I will never put one before my friends. Also, if a boy breaks your heart, you best believe that I won’t be a nice person to them. No one is breaking the hearts of my friends and getting away with it. I will also tell you my personal opinion of a boy you’re talking to if you ask for my opinion, so don’t take it too personally, because it may be harsh.

To my new college friends, be patient with me as I find myself. If I am having a hard day, and just want to be left alone, don’t take it personally. If I’m randomly hyper, and I start breakdancing, join in. Please don’t find me weird if I watch random YouTube videos and start laughing so hard that I start crying. I’m a big bundle of personality, and you never really know what’s next with me.

To my new college friends, allow me to make mistakes. If I’m talking to a boy who might be bad for me, let me find out he’s not a good guy for me by having him break my heart. If I decide to wait to write a paper the night before it’s due, let me suffer as I stay up for hours on top of hours finishing it. Let me make my mistakes as I figure out who I am and what I want, and stay by my side through the journey, as I would do for you.

To my new college friends, I love you. Thank you for accepting my weirdness. Thank you for making me feel comfortable in a new environment. Thank you for being my new backbones and being weird with me. I am grateful I have the opportunity to meet such amazing human beings who will inspire me to do great things and who will support me on the way.