To all of my friends/family/etc who graduated this past weekend, there was a lot wanted to tell you, but at ceremonies I get a little too excited. I pull a Bertis and get oddly emotional and wave my hands a lot and I start to bounce a little.

Graduating is extremely exciting. For starters, you don’t have to go to high school anymore. Depending on the school, you also don’t have to ride the bus. When you graduate college, you get to adult. Personally I’m not ready for that, but I admire everyone who is. It’s also fun because your parents are feeling nostalgic and so they will let you get away with some stuff, like not cleaning your room or forgetting that you have to babysit your sister…

Most importantly, you get to start over. This seems a little terrifying but it’s the most exciting part. You can forget the people that were mean or the bad grade on a math test that ultimately didn’t matter. When you move away it will seem daunting and impossible and also thrilling and kind of like you’re vibrating. In other words, it’s a lot to feel. But they are good things to feel, and you can work through them. It’s not easy but it is doable. You can make new friends and do exciting things and maybe get a puppy.

That was a pretty vague way of saying what I wanted, but when it comes to graduating, everything has pretty much been said at least once. Except that I am so proud to know all of you. Y’all are going to do wonderful things and I can’t wait to hear about them. Although it’s going to be hard at times, you won’t believe how much you grow.

Noli timere, graduates. Everything is going to be wonderful.

~ Addie

Well. I made it. It seems kind of not real but also I feel like I’ve been a freshman in college for fifteen years. And it also feels great. When I bought my planner back in July, I looked at May and June and kind of didn’t think I would make it. When my family was making summer 2016 plans, I definitely could not imagine being there. It seemed impossible to get that far.

But, I made it. We all did. I fell up stairs, got soup thrown on me, got freezing water dumped on me, got published, fell down stairs, also sat on by a Great Pyrenees and so much more. And everything was worth it.

Of everything I did this year, trying was definitely the best. I regret nothing and I’m so glad I stayed. In October, my mom just got frustrated and said, “Well then just come home.” For some reason I said no. And now I know completely why I did.

The people I have met and the things I have done have changed me. The tiny and scared part of me in October somehow knew that before I did. I know that I am meant to be here and I am so grateful that I can be. My friends and family supported me through everything, and with out them, I definitely would have gone home. So thank you. Your support and letters and chocolate and Facebook messages made more difference than I can say. I am unbelievably thankful for all of you. Being 1/4 of the way done with college is possible because of you.

It’s so hard to not be afraid but I promise that trying is the best way to conquer it. You’ll even regret not trying because there is a small
part of you that knows you can do it. I’ll refrain from quoting Nike, but you get my point.

Noli timere.

~ Addie