Crazy Sweet Ending!!!!

My 6:40 alarm vibrated on my wrist and dread filled me when I realized it was already time to wake up for my 7:30 stats exam. Despite not missing any of my required 7:30 wake up calls all semester, this one couldn’t be snoozed. However, I awoke this morning knowing I finally made it to the end. From negative degree weather to perfect mornings, the last of my 7:30’s had come. I got up, tip toeing around my room, quiet. Can’t wake the roomies! As I got ready for my last day of my freshman year of college, I could feel myself already missing the stillness of my dorm early in the morning: peacefully sleeping roomates, dull light, and a slow hush that only an early morning can contain. Walking to class this morning was a dream. Campus was still, and I saw few souls. Spring greens and smelly flowers polluted my paths and despite the emptiness, it still felt homey. If you’re wondering how my exam went, I would say alright. Stats isn’t my forte but I tried my best….. ;)

Spring semester felt like it was set on 2x speed. A good friend from home told me after spring break I would blink and everything will already be over. At the time I thought, but there is still so much left of the semester, so much to attend, so much to be done!? Crazy how that works. Now dragging at the end, my sweet morning has reminded me that my freshman year has reached its concluding pages, so I wanted to write about it because I feel kind of sappy with it coming to a close.

Firstly, to my lovely lovely roommates. How could I ever thank you for not being insidious or crazy, but rather for being SUCH BLESSINGS? My first year would have looked so different without you and despite just living together, it made our no AC, three man dorm feel perfectly suitable. I will miss our random yap sessions and think fondly of the night we stalked our neighbors curious activity through the peephole of our door at 12 am. When I think of freshman year, I won’t pass over the heatwave from the first month of school, shower shoes, caddies, and hazardous waste baggies. I’m grateful for the special treats you both shared with me, and for the small details that made Owen hall feel like ours. Both of your listening ears, discernment, and funny stories will not be forgotten, and as you both continue academically, I know you will both achieve your career goals. You’re both as smart as can be; I don’t think anyone saw the amount of diligence you both applied to school as I did. You should be proud of yourselves and I am looking forward to seeing you both happy with where that lands you one day. One of the things I’ll miss most is the comfort of the three of us in the room together, not talking or doing much of anything, but rather just existing, letting feelings of completeness and gentleness sit. Despite our missing fourth, an Owen converted triple, and never having met, God knew I needed you two!!!!

Next, to Lucas, Hailey, and Lindsey, my first friends at college! You three have simply been the best. From BGR, to rush, to gamedays, to debriefing in our dorms, to entering in and out of relationships, to family dinners, to crash outs, to academic success, to quilting, to Grand Prix, to whenever we got a chance to see each other, our memories have a special spot on the shelf of my life. Each of you bring something special to the table and I am so proud of you three. You haven’t seen it, but each of you have been vulnerable and brave, kind and committed, and as your friend from the beginning, you have all grown so much. I love that you three love what you love, you’re all so creative and funny, and you have good taste in food. Some of my favorite moments from this year have been watching Harry Potter before fall break, Hailey’s group hug, Lucas playing with his Bob the Builder Halloween costume, guest airing on Listening with Lucas, and all our meals. If you’re reading this, I’m sending you a big hug and reminding you that you’ve always got this. Year 2 -> soon!

REAGGGGGG. This one is for you. It’s funny that we were talking last night about how we didn’t even know each other 9 months ago, and now I can’t imagine a world without you in it? (I possibly stalked your LinkedIn though before school started, but I didn’t connect with you because I got scared of your resume) ANYWAY. You are the best big a little could ever ask for and I feel so lucky to have someone at college who just gets it. I am inspired by your drive and your professionalism. You definitely make me better in that area. The parts of you I admire most though are how you can burst out dancing in public, walk up to everyone and anyone and start a conversation with them, and how put together you always are. Theta sure did give me a good one, and I have nothing much left to say except thank you for everything you have done for me. Now, let’s live together…EEK!!!!

Ag Comm girlies + Josie + Ava. I am very mindful that not everyone can become as close with people in their major as we are. I think AP style tests really bound us together, whatchya think? I am so blessed by you all and I am glad that I get to study what I love with people who are equally as passionate and FUNNY. Holy crap. All yall remind me not to take life so seriously. I think of how different yet similar we all are and I think it’s neat that despite our different backgrounds, we all got so close. I always loved listening to my dad talk about his college stories, and one of mine that I’ll hopefully tell my kids will be about our botany final exam. That day was just something else. From our attempts at studying in Meredith South, a group pep talk, filming the guessing our scores TikTok, to post-exam snow angels, 1st semester went out with such a bang. I don’t know if you all understand how happy it makes me to feel like I’ve found my people and how much more connected I feel to the to the College of Ag knowing you all. I still can’t believe our activity was to join meats judging. Nonetheless, here’s to more funny convos with Dr. T, career advancements, laying in the grass, and 16 hour drives. Love yall like crazy.

To my many more friends + those I’ve met this year, you make my life feel like Zach Bryan’s American Heartbreak album. Here’s to our younger years and loving right now the best.

Somehow I seem to make everything about life nostalgic, but I guess I like that about myself. The girl coming into college knew that life was complicated, but didn’t really know life was complicated. She learned how to give people a chance, how to put herself out there, how to say yes and no, how to grieve, celebrate, and push through disappointment. College has made me aware that life cannot be all about one thing or doing everything a specific way. Schedules and routine are good, until they’re not. Going out and disregarding schoolwork is fun, until it’s not.

I appreciate the way I spent my freshman year, to the point where nothing of mine is packed and I leave tomorrow morning! I appreciate who I spent my time with, how much I learned, the jokes I laughed at, the people I met, the places I went, and I could sit here and say I’m excited for the future and where I’m going, but this year has also taught me that I’m not guaranteed tomorrow. College once felt so far away, and now that it’s here I can only keep enjoying it until I can’t.

So this is my crazy sweet ending!!!! I am grateful and full of love.

Best,

Meg