Imagine this: your friend pulls you aside to tell you how amazing of a friend you are and how grateful they are to have you by their side. If you’re anything like me, you’ll stand there with a completely bewildered, deer-in-headlights look that conveys, “Uh. Thanks…I guess. You, too…?” I will admit, I’ve never been great with receiving compliments; in the same token, I’m not too wonderful with giving them either.

Now, I do have a word count limit, so I can’t thank every single person I’ve failed to provide for in the gratitude category. To everyone I didn’t mention, you’re an amazing friend and I’m grateful to have you by my side.

CLARAAA (Clara)

I still remember our fourth grade selves running across the blacktop, racing to the swings only to trip and fall in wood chips, get up, and do it all over again. I’m so glad we were able to reconnect in middle school after COVID-19, because I don’t know what I would have done without your guidance and bright smile. When everyone else turned a blind eye, deciding that I “was just fine” and would be able to climb out of whatever hole I’d dug myself into, you were there to knock sense into me and be the shoulder I leaned on when times got tough. I’ll never grow tired of our Friday afternoon tea-spilling sessions; the work always goes by quicker when I’m laughing with you. Finally, (and here’s the cheesy part), I’ve always said that I don’t believe in BFFs, that they were just stereotypical sitcom titles. But, if anyone asked who my best friend is, I’d answer with your name, without hesitation.

ANGELINA (Angelina)

It wouldn’t be us if I didn’t start with an “AAN-GEE!” from across the hall and you didn’t turn around and reply with a “HI!” What would I do without hearing your cheerful voice on colorless days? You always find a way to make me laugh, whether it be through anecdotes from your classes or reciting inside jokes we’ve picked up along the years (Do you ever wonder if he found his daffodil tea?). Please know that you’re one of the sweetest individuals I’ve ever met; don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise. Thank you for sticking by me, even when others saw my flaws and turned the other way.

Clover Honey Bee (Chloe)

I still remember you calling me a “motherly figure” in my eighth grade yearbook. I’m not about to deny it; someone has to bring tissues, snacks, BAND-AIDs, charging cables, and wet wipes just in case. Nowadays, however, you’re often the one to pick me off of the ground when I’m panicking about tests or make good choices for me when I can’t make them myself. (Specifically, I want to thank you for fetching me from hiding out alone in the Homecoming restroom and putting a halt to my senseless mental breakdown.) Maybe you don’t notice it, but I’m grateful for the way you’ve become, or always were, my older sister—two days still counts! But just so you know, I’ll never stop screaming “LOOK BOTH WAYS!” even if there are no cars in sight for miles in every direction.

Amanders (Amanda)

Let’s establish that we met at the end of seventh grade during WEB training. Argue with the wall—if we were still arguing about that. Either way, I’m glad we met before the East Coast Trip in time to become roommates. If you hadn’t been the brave one to kill that cockroach in our D.C. hotel room, I’d still be cowering behind the bathroom door. Thankfully, I’m not; instead, I’m on one of our daily walks to class, where we collectively complain in British accents about how tired we are and reminisce about our last matcha. By the way, I wish you good luck—or break a leg…? Nevermind. Good leg.—in your matcha-tasic matcha-ism matchadventures…only if you send me pictures of the ethereal, emerald drink so we can technically enjoy it together. Just remember, “You belong with me-ee-ee!”

Charlene, geoffry’s godmother (Charlene)

As the first person I see most early mornings in the library, I greatly appreciate you for listening to my overdramatic rants and crash-outs for the third year in a row. Whenever I’m jittery or have homework I refuse to complete, you’re always there to take me on the most meaningful, meaningless walks around campus. Our discussions—never to be taken out of context—always leave me laughing hysterically. I’ll do my best to answer any concavity sketching questions you may have and listen to your wild stories about dentistry.

Angine (Angie)

I know you hate the full nickname the Foothills theatre kids gave you, so “Angine” will have to do. Throughout the years, whether it be at middle school theatre rehearsals, in the dance studio organizing costumes, or in your backyard practicing for Regionals, you’ve been the lantern in the fog, the one that encouraged everyone with a bright smile. We might not have any classes together this year, but you’ll always be the Michi-Mochi I gave the pufferfish stare when I finished packing up my backpack before you. Speaking of which, we should still go to Portugal and Hawaii, find some mountains, and avoid mosquitos at all costs (IYKYK). Thank you for helping me survive that class…and for maintaining our Wordle streaks together. 

Christine (Christine)

That’s your contact name, because there’s no nickname you’d willingly accept. Having known you for a mere two years, I already have so much gratitude for you. When you invited me to sit with you at lunch, you gave me an excuse to leave a toxic friend. Without you, I’d still be eating lunch with someone who sketched my insecurities and turned friends against me. So, thank you; thank you for saving me and helping me believe in friendship again. You also got me through that one, extremely boring class (you know which one) by debating with me about MBTI types. Your attentiveness is unmatched. I’ve never met a person who knew my unreasonably large earring collection better than I did. And, you were right: that gray shirt with the flowers and gemstones? It exists. I found it.

Wow, you see what I did? I went way over the word count limit. I’ll keep this next part brief. Thank you, everyone I managed to and didn’t manage to mention. 

Thank you for everything.