Saturday is quickly approaching, and with it comes the graduation of many people I deeply love. You know, it's strange; I often find myself wondering what it is that draws one person to another. Is it similarities in passion, schedules that continually overlap, or simply the social circle one finds themselves in? Regardless of the reason, I can honestly say that the class of 2015 from my alma mater has radically changed my life.
I came back to Bryan for one last semester, and found that almost all of my friends were gone. With the exception of maybe 2 or 3, my entire class had graduated...and I was living on campus, in a room by myself, feeling utterly alone. No one here understood how I felt. No one here could relate to my situation. I wanted to be here, but I wanted to leave. I was uncomfortable, uneasy. Life was hard.
As the semester progressed, however, I realized what an enormous opportunity I'd been given. With my normal circle of friends no longer at school, I was now able to look around me and see friendships and potential in people I normally would never have considered. (I realize that probably makes me sound like a class A jerk, but I am loyal to a fault and struggle with change. It's something I'm still working on.) Anyway, slowly I began to find friends in the most surprising people. And as the weeks went by, these people loved me, encouraged me, welcomed me with open arms into their "group" and I realized that they were some of the best and most real friends I would ever have. Yes, it made leaving so much harder than I thought it would be; but their love, loyalty and consistency is still affecting my life even now. As the past year has progressed, things have obviously changed. Some of these people I don't speak to now. Time and distance has pushed a few of us apart. But God put these wonderful, amazing people in my life at a very specific time and for a very specific reason, and even if things didn't always end the way I expected, I will never cease being grateful for the impact they had on my life. So, to the class of 2015, here is my heart for you.
Stacie Steel, God gave me you for encouragement. Thank you for reminding me that there are always people to love, no matter how far away they may be. Thank you for helping me to revive my love for music when I thought I was sick of it. I will always think of you whenever I see someone turn a page at a piano or hear Gilbert and Sullivan. :)
Jonathan Creasy, God gave me you for listening. Thank you for being there when I needed someone to let me pour out my fears and anxieties without judgment or ridicule. Thank you for reminding me that people come into our lives for a reason, and that our friendship was one I'll never forget. I will always think of you whenever I see Rick Taphorn or anything related to Charlie Brown. :)
Megan Darr, God gave me you for consistency. Thank you for reminding me that loyal friends do exist, and when you find one, hold on for dear life. You are one of those friends to me, and I hope you know that I'm never letting you go. I will always think of you whenever I eat at...well, anywhere really, and whenever I drive by Hungry Mother State Park. :)
Drew Morrison, God gave me you for wisdom. Thank you for reminding me that we have the ability to learn from our mistakes, that nothing we experience is in vain, and that the good friends are the ones who will lick spark plugs for you. ;) I will always think of you whenever I see a pigeon and whenever I speak in all caps for whatever reason. :)
Josiah Blakney, God gave me you for the bad days. Thank you for reminding me that sometimes loyalty is the most important gift you can give someone. Thank you for literally never turning your back on me, even when it meant losing others in the process...and thank you for continuing to ask me to be a part of your everyday life. I will always think of you whenever I see Grumpy Cat and whenever I'm beyond pissed about something. :)
Naomi Martin, God gave me you for my heart. You are my soul sister, the person who understands me like no one else ever could. Thank you for reminding me that friendships like ours are few and far between, and that miles or distance will never end the unwavering love we have for each other. I will always think of you whenever I hear someone say "Lexi" and whenever I play the piano. :)
Justin Jones, God gave me you for my fears. Thank you for reminding me that sometimes our anxieties and our worries are ridiculous, and that we just need to move on and let go. Thank you for loving me despite my many flaws and inconsistencies, and thank you for choosing to be mine, even when there were other people in the way. I will always think of you whenever I step on leaves, whenever I hold hands with another boy (Ha, good one) and whenever I step onto a stage for the first time again without you.
I thank God for giving me all of you when He did, and for teaching me what He taught me through each and every one of you. I hope and pray that God continues to shape, grow and mature you as you walk away from Bryan and enter the rest of your lives; that you will run after Him, search for your passions and use them to not only serve the Lord but to change the world in your own unique way.
Congratulations, you guys. You did it.
