To my high school friends as we go off to college,

We’ve been waiting a long time for this. We all have so many awesome things ahead of us, and now they’re only a few steps away. From new cities to new jobs and new everything else, a lot is going to change for each of us. I guess we all knew when we became friends that we would have to go our separate ways, because that’s how high school works, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

The first thing I want to say is thank you. Thank you guys for being there even when it wasn’t convenient. Thank you for encouraging me to go through with my good ideas, and not go through with my bad ideas. And even more, thank you for not hating me when I still went through with my bad ideas, even when you rightfully told me not to. Thank you for letting me rant about things that were stupid and about things that were important. Thank you for laughing at my jokes and letting me send pictures I thought were funny to the group message. Thank you for the jam sessions, sushi dates, and millions of trips to Chick Fil A. Thank you for the experiences; from theatre to football games to chorus concerts to classes. Thank you for sharing your music with me, even when I didn’t appreciate it.Thank you for making me laugh during days where laughter was what I needed more than anything.

On a different note, I want to apologize for all the times I wasn’t there when you needed me, or when I was too focused on my own problems to see yours. I’m sorry for the times that I was too caught up in the wild mess of things happening around us to realize that you guys were what I should’ve been caught up in. I’m sorry for the petty arguments. I’m sorry for the times I didn’t text back, and for the times I was bad at talking and worse at listening. I’m sorry for all the times each of you were the subject of a roast in the group message (I’m actually not that sorry for this, because I was also frequently the subject).

I also want to say that I’m so proud of you. Each of you have turned into people that I absolutely love to love, and I can’t wait to see how much more you can accomplish. You are so smart and capable and wonderful, and you truly deserve the best in college in beyond. I hope more than anything that I am able to watch you do great things, and continue to tell you how proud I am of you. I hope your friends in the future realize how wonderful all of you are, and hold onto you tight.

I couldn't have asked for better people to spend high school with. The dances, the football games, the classes, and everything in between would have been less meaningful without you. People always say that this is just a “see you later”, and I pray that they’re right.

See you later.