I could spend my time sapping over all of the wonderful times we’ve had under the same roof for the last few years. I can talk about your heartwarming qualities and how you’ll move on into the great big world around us and do great things. However, that’s all been said before... it’s all been done before. This is not a simple “thank you.”

Now, of course, it doesn’t hurt to hear it again and I can’t completely avoid giving you loving compliments. Yet, those compliments aren’t the only things you leave with and those memories aren’t the only things I stay here with. These are things that we’ll continue to carry with us all our lives, but they start here in college and in our home.

Thank you for creating a home in which we continued to learn. College is place where we all come to learn, to grow, and to rediscover ourselves. Our home was a place where we could continue to share our discoveries and grow from our experiences. Yes, we helped each other through great times, good times, bad times, and horrible times. We saw each other fall in and out of love. We saw each other learn how to take care of a house on our own. We’ve shed blood, sweat, and tears together and we've pushed each other as athletes and as friends. We became a family under the same roof of our odd, blue house. We became a family with disagreements, different interests, and a variety of living habits.

We moved into this home and had no idea what to expect from each other. It’s quite a gamble for anyone in college whether you move in with strangers or friends. These last few years have definitely been enjoyable, but having a good time together hasn’t been the only perk of finding great roommates. We taught each other new things, changed our way of thinking, debated hot topics (and sometimes really boring ones), and did so without judgment. We created a space where one could learn to be open-minded and it changed us more than ever. Whether we discussed serious issues, goofed off, or asked questions, our friendship evolved.

We had all of those awkward and hilarious moments of embarrassment. We learned things about each other that others might not know. We experienced disasters together like that awkward time we couldn’t unclog our toilet, or had ants attack our kitchen when the weather got too hot. Not to mention, revisiting those drunken nights over the next morning’s coffee and brunch, or suffering through the bone chilling, winter months that kept us locked up in our own rooms all term. Yet, if we could all leave and move on knowing that we have all grown and changed, then that is the greatest gift of all.

This is a thank you to my two wonderful roommates. Yes, you are going to go off into the world to do incredible things, but just know that you’ve already started doing great things. I stand here in our empty house waiting for it to fill up again and continue to learn with everyone who steps foot into our awkward, blue house. You’ve left a legacy for this wonderful space of ours and a flood of memories that can never be wiped away.

Cheers!