F.R.I.E.N.D.S

alright my friends. That is what I'm talking about today. You. My friends. Friends have always been such a vital part of who I am as a person. I always try to be friends with everybody growing up and sometimes it worked, and sometimes it didn't. But as I grew older I realized how incredibly important friendship is, not just with people who are not related to you, but with your family as well.

Since I moved to Madison life wasn't always easy when it came to friends. I'm a little snooty on occasion without meaning to, and that caused me a lot of problems. I lost A few friend groups on my way, and I lost a lot of really close relationships as well. Have you ever looked at somebody that used to be your friend, and then you remember all those memories you had with them and all the sudden you realize they're not part of your life anymore? That's basically my entire life. And it breaks my heart because these people were so important to me at one point and now I don't even talk to them on a daily basis sometimes. Yet the same exact time, I've met some of the best people in the whole world at Madison. Distinguished Young Women has a huge part of that. I would've never met my very best friend had I not done Distinguished Young Women. Had I not transferred Madison, had I not done Distinguished Young Women, and had I not left my friend group, I would've never known what an incredible friend group I could have had. Cause I have them now. A lot of people I've become friends with because of this group, and it's blessed my life in more ways than I can count. Going to girls state also had a huge effect on that. A lot of the girls I may never see again, but I still think of them as some of my best friends in the whole world. My roommate, is somebody I consider to be like a sister to me now. Isn't it interesting that in one week I became so close to 25 girls that I could text him anytime and ask them how their life is going & I knew they would help me get through my life problems as well. And when it comes to my family, there some of my best friends in the whole world. And it hasn't been into the last few years that they become close to me. I pushed away so many people for so long that included my family, but that doesn't happen anymore. And if you think about it, a lot of really great life events that happened to me in the last six months have happened because of the friends I'm with now. First kiss, DYW, State Speech, everything. It all came because of friends.

Man friends are vital. You can't be a crappy friend. PLEASE don't be a crappy friend. The world had enough of those already. Don't be fake. Don't be snobby. Don't think fur one second that if you snap a twig, that the whole branch won't come off too. In other words, friendship is fragile. It's a lot like those weird & creepy glass dolls your weird but endearing aunt had collected throughout the years. Those dolls have to be handled with care, love, and gentle hands. Hold it tightly so that if someone were to bump you, there's no way it could fall. Be a support to your friends. My friends all have a different talent than I do. Two of my best friends play basketball & they're good. Then you have me. An uncoordinated, lanky, slow gal who would rather wear Latin heels than court shoes. But, I'm ready to spend my nights screaming my lungs out at Madison & at Rigby & wherever else I end up having friends. I'm gonna be their number 1 fan with everything they do. That's what you do for the people you love the most.

Be a good friend. There's comfort in knowing that you have friends. Make it worth their while. Be kind to them. I stayed in a group that was mean to me for so long & I realize now, a year later, that those types of people cannot & will not be considered "good & kind " friends. If you are kind, you'll bring positivity & joy & light into the lives of those around you, especially your closest friends.

To all of you, my friends, I love you. You bring joy into my life in your own unique way. You give me life, whether you're here in the Burg or somewhere over the rainbow, I love you & thank God every day for my friends. Both longtime & recent. Old & new. I love you all.

Much Love,

Sara Jean