I'm twenty-four. I haven't exactly followed the typical path of high school graduation to college graduation, but I have worked my butt off to get to where I am today. I have changed my major, switch schools, and even taken a semester off in order to figure my life out. Spoiler alert: I still haven't figured my life out. However, with the help of some very special people in my life, I'm starting to get close. I just wanted to thank some people who helped me to get where I am today. I wouldn't be crossing that stage without you.

Mom

I would not be who I am today without you as a mom. You are my biggest inspiration. You are the reason that I stay determined even when I'm struggling and want to give up. You have taught me that you're never too old to learn something new and that there is not a “right" path to do anything. You've taught me to laugh at the little things and to brush off the things I cannot control in my life. Thank you for always being there, whether it be on the couch when I'm home, or on the other end of the phone when I'm at school. Thank you for your unconditional support.

Glenn

You filled a position in my life that I don't think either of us expected. You stepped in and took the role of fatherhood with pride. You've taught me how to stand up for myself and others when I think something is wrong. You've taught me how to persevere and kick the word “can't" out of my vocabulary. You've taught me that there is a lot in life that we are unable to control, and that life is a series of hellos and goodbyes. That's just the way life is, nothing is constant except family. Thank you for your support, even if we butt heads sometimes.

Nick

You are the best older brother I could have ever asked for. You're the only person I can talk to at times because I know you will get it, and I could not be more grateful for that. You are my favorite person in the entire world because of the unique take you have on life. Thank you for listening to me, even when you probably don't want to. Thank you for opening up to me, because I know how hard that can be even though we're related. Thank you for sending me happiness in the form of cat pictures and memes on almost a daily basis. I'm so proud of you, and I hope that one day, I can make you just as proud of me. You are amazing and I love you.

Emma and Poppi

You have been supporting me since the day I was born. When mom would have to work late, you were always the first to jump up and take care of Nick and me. I don't believe it was just family obligation, but pure love in your hearts for our well-being. You have supported me academically and emotionally. I always knew that I could count on smiles after getting off the bus or cream cheese and jelly sandwiches with chocolate milk before Kindergarten. I could count on family traditions of picking strawberries for jam in the summer or baking cookies around Christmas. I have learned so much about our family and myself through your stories. I have learned so much about the world because you have never been afraid to be real with me. You both have made me who I am today, and I don't think I can ever repay you both for what you have done for me.

Sarah

You have been my best friend for over thirteen years. We have been through every awkward phase together and then some. You have been the constant in my life when everything else just seems to be going crazy. I'm so proud that I have been able to call you my friend for so long. You've stood by my side through the good times and the bad and continue to do so to this day. You accept me for who I am and have never asked me to change. You have had my back when I couldn't have my own, encouraged me through every big and little decision, and pushed me out of my comfort zone. Thank you for understanding when I'm having a bad day and doing what you can to make me feel better. Thank you for random FaceTime calls and any time of the day text messages. Thank you for being my best friend.

Justin

You and I have this weird kind of friendship that I don't think anyone could ever replicate. Since meeting in pit band in seventh grade, we have been on one crazy ride. From marching band trips to weekends at the park, we have so many memories together. Between stupid puns and picking on Sarah (we love you!) we have so many jokes that only we find funny and I love that about our friendship. You have been awake at all hours to just talk when I feel like everything is going terrible in my life. Thank you for understanding my thought spirals and doing everything in your power to make me feel better no matter where we are. Thank you for being the comic relief in my life when I needed to laugh most. Thank you for sticking by me through everything.

Rachel

I know we didn't start hanging out until the end of high school, but I'm so glad that we became friends. You have shown me what it means to be compassionate in a world that can be filled with so much hate. Because of you, I know that it is possible to persevere and be successful even when it might be difficult. You have done nothing but make me smile since we met and have shown me nothing but love and support since day one. Thank you for always being a positive light in my life. Thank you for always being there, through the good times, and the bad.

Brianne

You were the unexpected friend I never expected to make in college. I know that we have had classes together and didn't talk to each other much, but I'm glad that we have been able to hang out together so much this semester. You have put up with minor annoyances and really bad days. You have let me rant to you when I'm frustrated and confused. You've driven to Dunkin every day in a week just to keep us awake enough to do work late at night. Thank you for staying up late to get work done with me, even if we were exhausted. Thank you for explaining things to me seventeen times until I finally understand. Thank you for being the good friend I never expected.

Zac (Zac hates pictures so this is his dog instead)

When we first met, I honestly thought nothing of it. You were just a face I got to know when sitting at the desk with Kayla. When you first texted me to play pool with you last spring semester, I never expected the friendship we have now to grow out of it. You have been through all the crazy classes with me and somehow helped me stay on track. I don't think you understand the positive impact your friendship has had on my life. Thank you for checking on me when you know I'm having a rough go of it and trying to cheer me up with Oreos. Thank you for letting me just sit in silence next to you when you play video games and sometimes letting me play too. Thank you for being you.

Erinn

You're the whole reason I'm even writing this. You were the one who made me start writing for the Odyssey again. It has been great living with you this past year and I can't wait for next semester. You have been one of the main reasons I laugh on a daily basis. You have been one of the only people on campus that seem to get it when I'm going through a rough patch and never fail to let me know that you're behind me and will lend a listening ear should I need it. Thank you for making me laugh and smile every day. Thank you for understanding what my mind can be like at times and letting me know that you're here for me. Thank you for being wonderful on all accounts.

Kayla

When we met, I was new to this campus, anxious as all heck, and thinking about transferring back home. I know that we didn't see one another for months after that, but you have become such a good friend. You have shown me that people aren't perfect and sometimes they will knock you down, but there's always someone there to pick you back up. Thank you for being that person for me.You have shown me that family doesn't mean blood, but it means good laughs around the dinner table with a home cooked meal and good people. Thank you for accepting me into your family, knowing that I'm so far from my own.

Wesley

We don't talk much and that's okay. I know that we're in different states and getting together is hard now that we're both on our own paths. You have shown me that there is nothing in life that can stop us. You've shown me how to look at the world in so many different ways. You are one of the only people I can talk to at times, but I'm thankful you are always at the other end of the line. We have had so may late night talks and heart to hearts that it has become hard to keep track of them all, but those are my favorite memories with you. Thank you for always being there for me when I need someone. Thank you for still being around, even after everything. Thank you for everything.