I've always had trouble saying goodbye. I'm that freak on the other end of your phone conversation who won't hang up until you've hung up first. I'm always waiting for that "click." If it doesn't happen, we're both stuck there in awkward limbo for what seems like eternity.
It was kind of like that freshman year when my parents dropped me off at Garst Hall the weekend before classes started. We drove three hours from the great state of Michigan, only to unload my 87 pairs of Chuck Taylors and economy-size box of Easy Mac in record time.
As we stood amongst hoards of crying, nervous freshmen and parents, my dad said, "I guess we're done." I hurriedly agreed, hugged my family, avoided making eye contact with my tearful mom and took off down the hall. I didn't see them again until Thanksgiving.
And now, three years later, it's all over. It's time to say goodbye to Otterbein and to everything I've grown accustomed to in the past 1,095 days. I find it bittersweet.
I've been second-guessing my decision to graduate a year early due to how fast winter quarter flew by. I've been trying to sprint through school since I was six years old. I was denied skipping a grade in elementary school due to my maturity level (Me, immature? Whatever...) and missed an early high school graduation because of a late application.
But really, what more could I add to complete my college experience?
I've held a trio of great internships; been introduced to the wonders of Chipotle and Steak 'n' Shake; sold glittery tiaras and floral muumuus for cold, hard cash; partaken in various road trips and made some lifelong friends.
My IIF roommates: We've laughed, we've cried and we've made giant messes together since being exiled in Garst. I couldn't have asked for better people to share my first apartment with: my best friends.
The lovely ladies of Tau Epsilon Mu: You've become my family away from home and the people I can always be myself around. It still amazes me that this self-proclaimed tomboy found a group of girls she can't stand to be without. I love you all, from my pledge sisters to my amazing TEM family.
The T&C; staff: Thanks for keeping me sane while we struggled through late nights, crazy ideas and bad food, just to do it all again the next week!
The Octagon: When there was too much pink and girliness in my life, I could count on an intense Guitar Hero battle or an Adult Swim marathon at any time. Thanks for being such great friends even though my Halo skills are pretty weak... t&c;
