As we grow up, people come and go from our lives every day. Yet, some stick and make each and every day the best. Throughout high school, we were surrounded by people from the same areas with the same family upbringings and similar interests. Nothing was different, and we never experienced people from different places.

I was unsure as to what to expect when coming to college. I was a nervous wreck about two weeks before I left for school when I realized my "dream school" has over 25,000 students walking across campus. Do not fret everyone, I am still thriving in my fourth semester at the University of South Carolina.

Some days are worse than others, but the people I have met here always know how to cheer me up. They are the ones that I know will stick forever. Near or far, north or south, you will meet anyone from any state in college. The worst part though...breaks. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN WE ARE SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY ON FIND MY FRIENDS FOR A WEEK OR EVEN A MONTH?! Let me know. It is okay. They are just a FaceTime away!

Learning about the different cultures throughout the country has to be my favorite part. The lingo is different, city life is different, and overall family life is different. These past two years I have learned A LOT, but I cannot wait to learn so much more over the next few years.

Have you ever BEAN so intrigued by a BEAN? Please visit Chicago if you have not. I swear I stared at that giant silver piece of art for a solid 15 minutes. Walking through the city of Chicago, shopping on Michigan Ave, sightseeing, and hearing about what it is like to live in the suburbs was an experience with one of my favorite pals. Oh, and I guess deep dish is alright. LOL! Just kidding! Having authentic deep dish pizza was quite the experience. AND THE PORTILLOS CHOCOLATE CAKE (a la mode of course!) Who could forget?! Such a treat. Thank you for forcing me to splurge off my diet, and introducing me to a Chicago classic. Walking around town with a gal that is taller than me, but we are both much taller than the average is always a fun and thrilling experience. You understand my struggles, and I will forever be there for yours. Thank you for welcoming me with open arms to your city and having such a sweet mom that takes me in as her own! I cannot wait to visit the "cleaner New York City," as I like to call it, again soon.

Who would have thought my two biggest blessings would have been from the same state? Amazing. You two brighten my day every time I see you in the chapter room for meals and chapter. Thank you for always saying "Oh Lord" when I do something CRAZY and for being the best littles for which a big could ask. I knew I wanted you two as twins, as your personalities are the same, and I am so happy you two became so close this year. I cannot wait to visit ONE ROOM in the house next year and to visit the great state of Ohio and see my nugs. BTW, as I am writing this, I am DOWNING these dark chocolate covered almonds and wearing the beautiful t-shirt. You made my birthday the best!

The island. Wow, what a place. Bagels..excuse me *egg sandwiches, acai bowls, the beach, windy roads...name a more aesthetically pleasing place in which you would want to live. I'll wait. The way you say "harry" will forever make me giggle, and our shopping and Dunkin' Donuts addiction will never go away. Hearing about how your high school experience was much like mine and how your town is so similar to good old Suffolk, VA scares me (in a good way!) Cooper is a nug, and yeah your family is the cutest. The gluten-free bread crumbs...amazing. Your "chicken cutlet" is my "baked chicken," but we love it just the same. Though our accents may be different, we are pretty much one in the same. Meet you in Vienna? Alright. See you there!

Pork Roll or Taylor Ham? Please tell me which one it is!! Living with two people from opposite parts of New Jersey can be difficult at times, but I could not ask for better roommates (even though one of them left me for Australia this semester...it's fine. I'm fine.) The adventures into NYC and Philly sound amazing. I could not be more jealous. Bonding over the small private schools and having brothers as siblings makes me happy! Hearing about your brother's swimming successes makes it so relatable, and I am always thrilled to share his successes. Being able to talk to your brother like he's just another good pal brightens my day! I miss talking to Ty, so HURRY BACK TO THE STATES! Your parents are so much fun to be around and are always so kind. The gluten-free pasta warmed my heart over break, and the puppy made me melt. Maybe I'll try that real NJ pizza sometime soon!

Me? Intimidating? Come on, there is no way! Well, I am extremely happy we surpassed that stage and became "rude as hell." I do not know how we were not friends as we are two Tory and Lilly loving gals! I cannot wait to visit Delaware and experience Firefly and the infamous Dewey Beach! Thanks for suffering through finance with me and always being down for $2 Dunkin coffee after 2 pm! I am so proud of everything you have accomplished at Delta Zeta's VP of Philanthropy and cannot wait to try those hot dogs with you sometime soon with our good pal and manager!!

Hey Marylanders, do y'all have like a cool flag or something? Sometime soon I will be able to visit three of my favorite people in crab land. My chicken nugget who is about to travel the world in the fall!! Please do not leave me! Having a tiny ball of energy makes my day brighter on the best and worst days. Your love for cookies and the mass amounts of pasta you can eat is amazing. You are not graduating next spring...fake news. My second mother. I have no idea how I could manage getting through college without you. Through the ups and downs you have always been there, and for that, I will be forever grateful for you. The MCAT has nothing on you this summer. I cannot wait for our road trips to Charlotte next fall! Pictures of your puppy will never fail to make me happy. Oh and thanks for letting me almost drive your car last year to the new member retreat before we even knew each other. True love. My gal that rocks the light up shoes and has the biggest heart. You defy all odds with your engineering major and social responsibilities. I could not be any prouder of you as a sister and friend. Nothing can ever keep you down. A pep talk here, a pep talk there, we always get through it together! Welcome to the twenty-fun club! Cannot wait to celebrate with you!

Hey Nickey you so fine, you so fi... oh that's not how it goes? Huh... interesting. ANYWAYS, the great city of Cary, NC. How ironic for you to be from the same area as part of my family. Bonding over Joan this semester has to be one of my favorite extracurricular activities. Your jokes make me laugh (most of the time.) Hey, girly. I cannot wait to see what adventures are to come in the near and far future. Hey, I vaguely remember riding in your car once before, but to be sure what does it look like again? Thanks for saving me. MADAM PRESIDENT COME HOME! I was not sure if I was going to be close to you after the buddy process, but I am so blessed to be your friend and sister. I am living vicariously through you and your Snapchat/Instagram stories, but cannot wait for you to tell me stories in person! You are always there to mediate situations, and your love for everyone is endless. You are such an admirable person. You will always be my president. HEY SHAWTY thank you for always laughing at my jokes and making me feel funny :') I am so happy we can pick up right where we left off every time we see each other. I will forever text you during West Point games, to vent about random crap, and to see how your weeks going. And yes, we still need to go on that date. Thank you for being the calm to my storm.

South Carolina. What a state. I decided to call this place my home for four years, and I even found part of my family here. Ironically they are from SC, too! Every time I say hi to you or refer to you in conversation, I feel like I am saying hi to myself or talking in the third person. Our shambliness together is sometimes detrimental to our wellbeing but always a good time. I do not know what I would do without you forever making me question our decisions, but I cannot wait to see what is in store these next few years.

Cardi B, I do not know what I would do without your "brrttt" noises and savage jokes every day. Your Insta aesthetic gives me life. 'You iz smart, you iz kind, and you iz' a better part of my life. Please don't knock me off the Acropolis if I say or do something dumb. But follow your dreams, Hannah Montana, you can have the best of both worlds all the time!!

Do you need to vent? That's ironic because I need to vent. S/O to us for always having something to rant about and feeding the fire with more fire. Gets the people going! I am so happy I met my twin in college. I truly did not believe there could be two of us...wow. I will forever be here to pick ya up when you're down, laugh about our dumb mistakes, and forget about petty boys.

Cheers to that and your 21st birthday!!! Thanks for caring for me multiple nights last semester and taking me to sonic on a Zapp, that we fell over on, to get mozzerella sticks. I am sorry I ate them all on the way home :( but I love you forever!

These people in my life have introduced me to new personalities, cultures, and hobbies that have changed my outlook as a person. I will forever be grateful for not only these few but for everyone that has had some impact on my life strong enough to be this important today. Hey El, are we good pals? I love you all.

XOXO,

Meg