This last semester was probably the hardest semester I have ever been through before, and as I look back, I feel nothing but sadness. When they say, "You grow up in college" they aren't kidding. Here is my letter to the girl that felt like she lost everything but didn't know that she was actually gaining everything.

Dear me,

Who would have ever thought that age 20 would be so complicated? Oh, just wait until 21 rolls around.

This semester you will go through some of the hardest things yet. You will learn the difference between a friend and a sister. You will learn that everyone is not who they say they are, that people often change and so will you. You will learn that family is the most important thing you will ever have (thanks, Mom and Pa). You will learn that moving out will be the best thing for you to do no matter how much you will miss the good times. You will learn that people come and go and that pushing people away will only make them go. You will learn that some people are there to stay. You will learn that the relationships you thought would be with you forever will quickly diminish. You will learn that being 21 is so much fun but so expensive. You will learn that people will ring you out to dry, and that you just have to let them. You will learn that you should always lock your door no matter what -- or else the image of a creepy guy walking out of your house will be with you forever. You will learn that there is no need to put so much pressure on yourself. You will also learn that being happy is something that needs to be on the top of your list.

You will gain a house full of wonderful girls that will embrace your weirdness and always be down for delicious brunch. With these housemates, you will also gain a group of girls who provide you with endless laughs, endless support, and endless trips into each other's closets. You will gain an amazing boyfriend who has been there for you from the beginning and continuously showers you with love. You will gain a better relationship with yourself -- something you have always wanted. You will also gain a closer and even better relationship with your absolute best friend in the world. You will gain a friend who supports you and is always down for coffee. You will gain a stronger relationship with both of your parents, and you will learn that they only want the absolute best for you. You will gain relationships with sorority sisters you would never even know outside of your friend group. Most importantly, you will gain some of the best memories with your best friends that will last a lifetime.

I know it may seem like there are more negatives than positives, and believe me when I say that when I started writing this article, I was lost with what I truly gained. When I started writing this article, all I felt was sadness and regret, and as I end it, I feel blessed and supported.

As I end this article and my ode to feeling like I lost everything, I will leave you with this.

"What is meant for me will never miss me and what misses me was never meant for me."

Signed,

Someone who gained more than she could ever imagine