With my last semester on WKUs campus over, I have found myself walking around campus in a state of awe. In awe of the beautiful campus, the memories I've made and how fast it all flew by. I walked by my freshman dorm. I stood in front of it and I cried. Mostly happy tears as I thought back on my eighth floor memories of Rhodes Harlin Hall. Thinking about the lifelong friends I made in the fall of 2016. But some were sad tears. Sad that my time here is almost over. Sad that those friends I spent so much time with will soon (some already) will move back to their hometowns and away from Bowling Green. Knowing things are good, but not the same.
Mostly, I am in awe of how lucky I am to have been given the opportunity to go to such a beautiful school. I really lucked out and I hope I never forget that. I have so much to be thankful for and so many people I owe that thanks to. As I reflect back on the last (almost) four years, I can think of many people that have carried me through my WKU journey.
Morgan, without you, I probably never would've gone to WKU. It was my junior year of high school when I visited WKU for the first time. My family went down to watch you cheer. I fell in love with the campus as soon as we walked in. I remember telling my dad that day that this was the only school for me. Senior year rolled around and WKU was the only school I applied for. Thank you for introducing me to a school that has felt like it was made just for me.
Dad and mom, thank you for giving me the education that launched me into college with flying colors. I am not saying college was a breeze, but I am saying that the education you provided for me up until college gave me a running start that oftentimes put me ahead in my classes. And of course I am thankful for the ENDLESS help you gave me throughout my college years as well. Whether it was money, gas, food, or a phone call when I was homesick, it never went unnoticed or unappreciated.
Nicole, thank you for being my biggest support system my freshman year. I am not gonna lie, I was homesick. The first month, all I wanted to do was go home. I was scared, but I was never lost. I owe that to you. You took me in, showed me the ropes, made me feel welcome and at home. It is because of you that I broke through my shell and began to see WKU for what it was: AMAZING. I probably would have transferred back home if it weren't for you.
Leanne, when I look back on my WKU experience, you will be one of the first things I think of (even if we were only there together for a year). I couldn't have asked for a better roommate. We went together so well and I am sure we made every other roommate duo envious of what we had. My favorite memories are late nights in our dorm when we couldn't sleep, laughing at stupid memes and videos while eating WAY TOO MANY Hawaiian rolls.
Miranda, we bonded over poetry and coffee. We started our friendship later into our freshman year but we ended up being roommates for HALF of our college experience. Thanks for sharing our first apartment experience together. It is crazy how much our friendship has evolved. From both being single girls reading romantic poetry to being in your wedding this last summer. Thanks for always being there (from target runs to ice cream runs to the hard stuff too).
Kailyn, you were one of my first friends from WKU that I didn't know before the move. We clicked almost automatically and it wasn't long before we literally spent every night in each others dorm rooms. I couldn't have asked for a better across-the-hall neighbor. I have always associated you with love. Whether it was your caring nature, kind words or support, I knew I could count on you to make me feel loved and important. What a difference having you around made during my college experience.
Red, Ariel, Tristan, Seth, Jordan, and all the other members of my freshman year friend group, thank you for being my 24/7 company (for real it seemed like I was ALWAYS with you guys). I still think back on our cookout dates, bowling nights, dorm parties and car rides often. I have never had a friend group so diverse, full of personality and open to do something WHENEVER. All of you will hold a special place in my heart FOREVER.
Austin and Lexi, I may have spent three years at community education, but the year we worked together will be the only one that truly matters to me. I loved every second of working with you guys and actually looked forward to going to work to see you guys and all of our Lost River kiddos. We always had a good laugh and a funny story to tell at the end of every shift. Whether it was the gossip talk we would have to the dumpster on our way out of work or our LOVING complaints about the crazy kids, there was never a dull moment. I am so thankful for our friendship.
To my professors, for the most part, I had amazing professors. Not only were they amazing at their job, but they were amazing people in general. The amount of times I found myself telling my friends that I genuinely wanted to be my professors friends is honestly ridiculous. They were role models as well as teachers. The professors I have in mind made it exciting to go to class and to learn even the 'boring' topics.
Hannah, I remember being scared to death about all the articles I read my freshman year about all of your hometown friends becoming strangers when you go to college. I am so glad our friendship is just as strong now as it was before college. You will always be my greatest friendship and not even four years of 100+ miles apart could stop that. Thanks for sticking around! (And thanks to all of my other hometown friends as well!!)
I am sure I have forgotten some people... please forgive me. I am still suffering from my 'end of finals week brain'. I am truly thankful for every experience and every person I have came across in the last (almost four years). While the campus is one of the prettiest ones around, it wasn't the view that made my college years what it did. It was the people and the time I spent with them and I wouldn't trade any of it for the world.
Wku,
you will be missed dearly,
Sincerely,
Sidney
