As we near the end of my first year in college, I'm spending a lot of time looking back to the beginning of the year. I remember not knowing how exactly I felt about you. I remember being scared of you, and thinking that I'd never really like you all that much. Now look where we're at. Almost every night, I walk past and tap your door handle, hoping it's unlocked. If it's unlocked, it means you're in there and I'm about to come bother you for at least an hour.

Whether I need toilet paper, or just someone to talk to, I know I can go to you (even though I regularly get toilet paper from other RA's). From pushing me down the entire hall the night before registration when I had a bunch of homework, to driving us to Applebee's late at night for karaoke, you've always been there for me. You allow me to pester you constantly when you're on rounds, and most importantly just rant to you about all my problems. I could never express my gratitude for all you do.

I want to start by saying thank you. Not only have you dealt with my school problems, but you've dealt with me complaining about my personal problems also. You've been so much more than just an RA. Thank you for being a friend. I would also like to say that I'm sorry. I know you have a lot to do, being a student yourself, and I've come to you with stupid problems that you can't do anything about. Sorry for complaining about things that don't matter. Sorry for interrupting almost every single hall meeting to ask stupid questions.

Even though I didn't listen, thank you for warning me that your boyfriend was having a hall meeting when we decided to walk to his hall with balloons in our shirts. Thank you for all the laughing, crying, and ranting sessions that are typically held in your room. Thank you for the endless hugs (they're necessary a lot of the time), and for always reassuring me that I should not jump to conclusions and drop out when I so much as think I failed a test or practical. Thank you for your words of encouragement, normally "you're gonna do great!", when I'm about to fail an exam because I didn't study enough. Thank you for calming my mental breakdowns the nights before I have three exams with the simple words of, "it's going to be alright, really" followed by a giggle. I wouldn't have wanted anyone else to look up to this year.

Thank you for not getting mad when I bang on your door or FaceTime you in the middle of the night, just because. There is an immense variety of things I have ranted to you about, and you're always willing to listen. Whether I'm ranting about how Wawa not having mashed potatoes is about to ruin my entire life, or I actually have a serious issue, I always feel better after talking to you. Also, thanks for encouraging me to run outside for the fifteen minutes between two of my classes to pie you for a good cause.

I could have never asked for someone better to look up to. We've had our share of disagreements, however, I wouldn't hesitate to say that you're the best RA I could have been stuck with this year. Words cannot express how much I'm going to miss just being down the hall from you.

So, with two weeks left in the semester, one being the dreaded week of finals, thank you for making this year incredible. Thank you for the endless love, laughs, and support. I am forever indebted to you for all you've done for me over this past year. Thank you for helping in making my transition from high school to college so seamless.

Thank you for always encouraging me to be the best person I can possibly be. Thank you to you and your boyfriend for always being there for me, no matter what. I have immense gratitude for both of you. You're the best RA's I could ever ask for. I don't want to think about next year knowing you won't be right down the hall anymore.

Plan on many visits to talk about life and have some dance parties. Let's meet up at church and go to breakfast. Let's go bowling. Let's have a lot more fun. Thanks for the memories, here's to many more.

Much love,

the resident who irritates you all the time.