Dear Summer of 2016,

You have been a summer different than any other. You have been filled with emotions and experiences that I never thought I would have to experience this early in my life. You gave me everything from amazing beach days and my first credit card, to overdue car payments and my second sunburn ever. All in all I have found that you, Summer of 2016, have made me a stronger person and I want to say thank you for that. There are a couple of key things I would like to thank you for though, so listen up!

First, I would like to thank you for being there for me when finals week ended, back in May. You came to the rescue right when I needed you. You provided me with outstanding weather and many opportunities to destress after taking all of my second semester finals.

Second, I would like to thank you for the work experience that I was lucky enough to partake in. During this summer I had the great pleasure of operating the financial portion of a special needs preschool in Albany, New York. It was an amazing opportunity and I was blessed to work with some pretty amazing students and adults. Obviously you did not play a physical role in helping me acquire my summer job, but without the free time that you provided me with, I never would have been able to work as much as I did with so many great individuals.

Third, I am thankful for the time that I had to relax and prepare myself for my junior year of college. I always look forward to the summer because it gives me the opportunity to unwind and decompress from the endless stresses that are "college." After a stressful semester, this summer was exactly what I needed to rejuvenate. You never really appreciate the time that you have to "do nothing" until you get to college and are constantly busy.

Next, I would like to thank you for giving me warm summer nights to enjoy with the ones that I love. These beautiful nights were accompanied by the creation of many amazing memories with great friends and family. I used these nights for celebrations and get togethers of many different kinds. Without your help I wouldn't have these great memories.

Additionally, I would like to thank you for providing me with the time to say goodbye to my childhood home. During the spring I was fearful that I was not going to have time to spend in my home before it was sold, but thanks to you I was able to make a couple more memories in my childhood home before we sold it. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do so.

Lastly, I would like to thank you for presenting me with the time and the atmosphere to grow closer to the people in my life that I love and to become a stronger person all around. This summer has presented me with many challenges which had the potential to tear me down or to strengthen me as a person and I like to believe that with every challenge I faced this summer, I thrived.

Thank you again, Summer of 2016! You were one for the books!

Love always,

Hailee