When it came time to go to college, I was so excited; USC was my dream school! But, I was also terrified. I was worried about leaving home and thought I couldn’t handle being away for so long. The second I met Deanna, everything changed. We became friends right away, and two years later I can still say she’s one of my best friends at USC. I definitely owe her a thank you (or 11).

So, this is for you, Deanna...

1. Thank you for being the one who would listen to me vent at any time of day (or night).

2. Thank you for walking with me to the ice cream sandwich shop at 10 pm…in the pouring rain.

3. Thank you for having random dance parties with me when studying was driving us crazy.

4. Thank you for braving the dining hall food with me all year long.

5. Thank you for making me addicted to Soondubu (if you know, you know).

6. Thank you for going to brunch with me, even when you had way too much homework.

7. Thank you for impulsively buying a fish with me (RIP).

8. Thank you for letting me persuade you to do dumb things for my amusement.

9. Thank you for teaching me how to cook pasta.

10. Thank you for waiting in long lines for free food with me.

11. Thank you for making everything an adventure, even walking to the trash chute.

Thank you for being my first friend in college and still one of my best friends today. I couldn’t have done it without you!