Growing up, we all dream of that day we'll get to move out and become independent as we head off to college. Movies do an extraordinary job of depicting the independence that comes with college, and that's what we all dreamt of having as kids, right?

It's not until you're a week into college and you begin to realize that you really are on your own. No more curfews, family dinners or doing the dishes after supper. It's up to you to make every decision in your life.

This was a frightening thought the first week of school when it started to become reality, but little did I know in the first week of freshman year that college was going to give me the opportunity to build some of the deepest friendships I've experienced in life thus far.

Not only do you live with your college friends, but you eat every meal with them (hence, gaining freshman 15), go shopping with them for every grocery need, and rely on one another to become independent now that you no longer have your parents checking in on you.

When you're hundreds of miles away from home and sick without your mom to comfort you, it's your college friends who nurse you back to feeling well.

When your birthday comes around and your family isn't there to throw a birthday dinner for you, it's your college friends who throw one bigger than you could have ever imagined.

When you see that cute boy across campus, it's your college friends who Facebook stalk him to ensure he's worthy of your "high standards."

OK, maybe the third statement about the Facebook stalking isn't completely relevant, but you get the point.

When May comes around and you're forced to say your goodbyes, it's these people who you realize have become your other halves in just nine short months.

So, this one goes out to every person who was unsure about this college year, but got by with a little help from their fellow college friends. Thank you college friends, for enriching my life with pure happiness and never-ending laughter. This whole college experience wouldn't be the same without you.