I realized this past summer that I have been letting life slip by me. Only a moment ago, I was sipping youth from a bottomless chalice. It felt endless and fun. But now, the time has come, for when I peer into this vessel, a crystalline end shines beneath the liquid. And it’s coming up fast. With this fact came the realization that I drank up these real human connections and without much thought. They will forever exist in this dimension between “before” and “after.” My memory isn’t perfect. But I know these snapshots mattered when they did. And I want to capture these connections, which would otherwise be stray ends. So, I detailed 50 moments of my high school years shared between friends and acquaintances. Some made me belly laugh; others made me think. I hope you’ll find yourself among these words and think of your own stray ends and the numerous ways to tie them together. 

Dear friend, thank you for…

1. PMing me in the little chat box of Zoom and making me smile on Mondays. You were a lot taller than I imagined when I met you in person.
2. being like everyone’s older, smarter brother. I’m trying to be the leader you were to freshman me.
3. laughing, sneezing, speaking with me in our mother tongue. You kept me sane during the pandemic; you keep me sane now.
4. reaching out on birthdays. It makes me happy when we reconnect every March (and September).
5. making hideous chocolate bread loaves with me. I swear we’ll get it right some day!
6. always sharing your green grapes and being the most selfless, generous mama bear.
7. sharing a love for Pedro Pascal and a distaste for animal captivity. If I’m your STEM girl, you’re my inaugural poet.
8. being by my side through the birds and the trees. I’ll be as eco-friendly as you, one day.
9. inspiring me academically with your devotion to helping people through medicine. 
10. taking me into your quartet and into the heart of LA. Consider me a loyal subscriber to your newsletter!
11. hyping me up (AchooO) and being the most diligent president. You are an ICON, fashion queen.
12. guiding me through all of our ‘bowls’ and ‘olympiads’. This smol bean will hopefully meet you again in a year!
13. taking an interest in all things fish; cleaning algae was less demeaning when you were scraping through it too.
14. imparting the most bizarre factoids about meteors, incarceration, and plant-based toxins. 
15. being my aesthetic little go-to bug/bird/mushroom dumping site. I hope a flock of painted buntings flies your way!
16. energizing me every morning with your spirit. You are my espresso shot, Ms. Track star.
17. pushing me out of my boundaries, dragging me out on those summer “runs”, and reminding me to live every day like it’s our last.
18. cleaning up those sticky marshmallows and always checking in when I’m exuding stress. You are so selfless, and a wonderful older brother, I’m sure.
19. sharing your fears and triumphs with me. The deafening drumset was a little less unbearable with you to talk to.
20. making me smile with mantis flicks and being my second semester signing buddy.
21. being unapologetically you throughout those cell organelle units. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE your boots?
22. expanding my once-decrepit vocabulary and adorning my feed with your renaissance-esque creations.
23. introducing me to your fantastic musical playlist and stick-ing with me from day one. 
24. bearing the difficulties of biology, chemistry, and music with me. Tell Buddy I’m thankful for him, too.
25. toast(master)ing, ASB-ing, afterschooling, and more. You are my first and only feline warrior.
26. letting me live vicariously through your gallant tales of sea-faring and equestrianship.
27. always bringing your silly punniness and leaving us with an immortal rendition of the American Woodcock.
28. sharing your crochet Pokemon with me and a mutual love for ocean animals.
29. being my Spanish 3 partner, and powering through MSCHF’s random little SAT.
30. whispering the most relatable anecdotes during AP Chemistry. (I don’t understand thermochem either…)
31. bringing out my competitive side, whether it be basketball, frisbee, or football. I’ll be happy to talk shrimp with you any time.
32. dressing up rocks and avocados in high fashion. You are the cutest garden fairy!
33. dropping the most hilarious unfathomable observations and introducing me to the San Gabriel boba scene.
34. being my go-to duet partner and creating the most whimsical art. Live, laugh, Laufey!
35. carrying us through Elvis’s melodies and patriotic parties. I always feel understood talking to you.
36. always reminding me to eat dinner and study Stats. Without you, I wouldn’t have done either.
37. waving to me so energetically most mornings, even if it means letting go of those huge purple props.
38. being so grounded and teaching me the complex conducting for pep band.
39. imparting your intense fondness for jazz, and somehow infiltrating all of my Discord servers?
40. teaching me how to play badminton with my wrist. Your outfits are so swag.
41. always making me laugh with your humor and off-hand remarks. Best summer camp big brother and cat dad.
42. saying that first “Hi.” Sik fan? Any day, babe.
43. letting me be your pre-period 2 teacup. Let’s go to cute (gen-z) cafes soon!
44. wowing me with your intelligence and diligence. I will be asking you for financial advice in five years.
45. permitting me to read your fantastic poetry. I fully support your endeavors, social-poet-math-girl.
46. encouraging me to go for my college dreams, and giving me endlessly wise advice.
47. loving betta fish and turtles and birds the way I did. You did a good job, captain.
48. giving the best hugs (and shoulder massages). Miss you lots, dancing queen.
49. teaming up with me as one-fourth of the Rebel Dimers. Orchestra flourished under your reign.
50. opening up to me and letting me sing horrendously to German opera. I’ll cry in January, too.