College...

I'm sitting here in between my patients and it hit me...I am officially an adult. While I have been over 21 for quite some time, I have graduated from college! I never realized what a milestone this was until today. In the last 5 years more than half my time has been spent dedicated to school. Late nights at the library, numerous visits to the TA offices, HUNDREDS of $$$$ not only spent on school but also the gas commuting, but most importantly I have realized the person I have become because of it. While I will always wonder what it would be like to have moved out of state and really get to experience the "real world" outside of this bubble I live in, I am so grateful for the relationships I made stronger, and the friendships I have created. Starting with my freshman year, I was able to spend those last precious months with my mom. She truly was my best friend. Freddie was the only person I hung out with for months, and playing football meant he was gone EVERY weekend. I have looked at it as a blessing, I got to spend my weekends with my family. I enjoyed going out to dinner, watching our shows, and strengthening our family bond. I think it's safe to say that I was a total LOSER in college, but most importantly that was part of why I became me. My family is everything to me. I reconnected with my high school group as I was dealing with the trial of losing my mom. Every day was the same before that..school, work, and then home for the rest of the night. They kindly forced me to come out, doing things they knew would bring a smile to my face. Shortly after I was getting the hang of it, they all left on their missions. Now what? I don't have my best friend to do things with, and as his way of coping my dad had seriously became a work-aholic. Weekends started becoming hanging out with their little brothers, (weird? for most, but we built a friendship and they became part of my family). Football season was here and again Freddie was gone every weekend. I had got an invite to go rush for a sorority but I was strongly against it. For one I don't really get along with most girls, and I couldn't stand the thought of humiliation by going solo. Freddie begged for me to just go and give it a try. He knew how badly I just needed friends. I will forever be thankful for him pushing me, because it changed me forever. I instantly had friends that I had met a bbq that summer, and they were always inviting me to join them in whatever activity they were particpating in. One spring semester is when it all changed. I really started getting involved up at the U and I met my new group of friends. When Freddie decided to try for the NFL I realized that for the first time when someone so close to me was leaving I wouldn't be alone. I had friends to turn to, and my guy friends from high school would shortly be returning home! I have learned so much about myself, especially in the past year. I'm okay with doing my own thing, I'm okay with going to new friends houses alone, I'm okay with going to church completely alone, and most importantly I am okay with being who I am and what makes me, me. I made sure to make school a priority. Although I don't miss the stress I miss the friendships I gained on campus, the knowledge I gained in my classes, and even my own second home I made myself at my spot in the library. Is it bad that if my phone was off, it was easier for my friends to locate me?! Here is a little list of the things I will miss most about my college years:
*FOOTBALL! I was given a chance to be on the inside of it all and they were some of my greatest memories. Although you took hours of my best friend away from me, it is amazing to see how it has helped so many men become successful on and off the field. Crazy to see my friends go from playing on Saturday afternoons to now playing in the NFL!

*Freddie, he alone taught and did so much for me, I will always be thankful for him helping mold me into the person I have become.

*My parents...although my mom wasn't here for most of my college life I always wanted her to be proud of me, and thank you dad for your unconditional support and many fathers blessings.

*My sister truly for EVERYTHING but also for spending hours trying to help me get my schedules figured out, and her and Shaun allowing me to live with them and be part of my nieces lives.

*Friends for always pushing and motivating me. The friendships that I have lost, strengthened, and rebuilt have all had a big impact on me. I have heard how people respect me for the way I handle situations. I'd like to thank my friends for keeping me sane and allowing me to gain that respect.

*Random cute guys on campus that soon became some of my good friends. (Z, Markus, Aaron, and B-Rad)

*Crazy random nights and knowing I have the excuse "When I was in college..."

What I won't miss
*Crimson nights..OVER-RATED!
*Finals/late study nights
*Cold weather on campus
*Parking (if you have a class after 8:30 plan a good hour trying to find parking)
*Being a number in class and hearing how things are going to be in the "Real World"

Well here I go with the rest of my life..whether I choose P.A. school, continue with this journey at St. Marks, or go with a real passion of mine and choose a whole new world! College really did teach me to grow up, and now I get to avoid the boring conversation of "What are you doing these days? School, Work?" NO! Being a career woman and learning as much as I can about LIFE!