Did you really think I wasn't gonna write an article about this? My best friend in college suddenly not being here with me anymore? Did you think I'd just forget? Haha girl, come on now.

I know this wasn't your happy place and I'm sorry if you were here for so much longer than you wanted to be, but the truth is, I'm happy you were as selfish as that sounds. I'm happy I decided to walk straight into your dorm room freshman year and ask you to come to a hockey game with me.

I'm happy you didn't look at me like I had three heads or throw me out of your room because we had literally never said a word to each other. But I'm most happy that you decided to come to the game with me, and that 2 years later, we had been to almost every Kent State hockey home game together and even a few away ones.

I'm happy that we met three of our other best friends who I wouldn't change for the world; the weekly dinners just won't be the same with you missing though, but we'll make it a point to FaceTime you so we can all eat together again.

I'm happy that we decided to take a dreadful 7:45 am writing class together; it made it a lot less awkward walking in late together, coffees and bagels in hand clearly showing why we were late.

I'm happy that I found someone that for two years judged me but accepted me, ate hash browns with me whenever we wanted, and laid in bed for as long as I did and watched Netflix.

I'm happy that you stayed with me through all the tears and the shouting and the hard times; thanks for rubbing my ears during the hardships (lol, it was honestly the best).

I'm happy that you were always up front and honest with me. "Yeah, Ally, you need to shower. I can smell you from over here." or "Nah, just put a baseball hat on, you can't tell too much that your hair hasn't been washed in three days." I appreciate that we can be our weird selves around each other with little to no judgment (maybe?).

I'm happy that you started loving hockey as much as me and appreciate Kovsky; it means the world to me that you get my love for the little Swede. Going to Kent games, as well as Phantoms games and NHL games will always be some of the most amazing and fun times in my life. Remember when we accidentally bought tickets RIGHT behind the Phantoms bench (haha yikes, am I right)? Those are memories that I'll never be able to forget, so thank you for making them so fantastic.

I could go on and on about all the reasons why I'm happy to have met you, why I'm happy to have you in my life, or why I'm happy I know our friendship can last the seven-hour distance. But I think what I'm most happy about is that you're doing you.

You're going out and doing what's best for you, and I know the decision couldn't have been easy, but know that you will always be one of the best things to happen to me. Know that I will drop everything to drive to you in a heartbeat; if you need me, you bet I'll hop in good ol' Stanley and chug seven hours to Chicago, no questions asked. Don't ever hesitate to call me; you know I'll never be too busy for you.

So to my Swag Money, my best friend who makes the weirdest sounds, smells when she eats dairy, breaks out when she's around mint, dresses like a soccer mom, and wears crocs: Olive Juice.