A Letter To My High School Teachers

To All Of My High School Teachers - Mrs. Ward, Mrs. Regan, Deacon Giard, Mrs. Poirier, Ms. Coan, Ms. Moros, Mr. Brudz, Ms. Stoyles, Mrs. Reilly, Ms. Mannion, Mrs. Janecko, Ms. Casey, Mrs. Shattuck, Mr. Healey, Mrs. Hicks, Ms. Milas, Mrs. Andrews, Mr. Amidon, Mr. Menner, Ms. Raffles, Mrs. Jacobs, Mr. Hammer, Ms. Ridel, Mrs. Gilbert, Coach Calande, Mrs. Heaney, Mr. McConville, and Mrs. Marcucio: 

Let me start off by saying thank you. I was very lucky to have people in my life so dedicated to their jobs. I was fortunate to learn from each of you. There is something I took away from each class - some good and some bad. Most of you taught me lessons that I will carry on throughout the rest of my life. I graduated with more than grades on my report card. I left with values and life lessons that could never be graded. 

I am writing this letter now because I did not realize the impact you had on my life until you were all gone. Let this be a reminder to all of your current students: you are spoiled, just like I was. High school teachers were adults in my life that cared about me and wanted the best for not only me, but all of their students. 

I want to thank you for being difficult teachers. I now appreciate all of your challenges because it prepared me for the level of college work. At the time, I hated when I had a paper and two tests due on the same day, but now I am grateful for those sleepless nights. It was conditioning for my higher education. 

This letter is addressed to all of my teachers, even the ones I did not particularly "like" in class. You helped me focus on the content of the class and not the teacher; it is impossible to like everyone. Not every professor is going to be my favorite, and the same goes for the subject. I may not be interested in the course content, but that does not excuse me from not doing well or trying in the class, and I learned that thanks to you. 

For the teachers who truly loved their job, thank you. It was noticeable that you cared about the subject matter and that you wanted each of your students to care as well. You respected your students, and in return, you gained respect from them. I never wanted to let you down. You helped me try very hard in every aspect of your classes, and you expected nothing less than my best efforts. Thank you for motivating me to try my hardest with all parts of school. You all helped me become a better student in the quick four years I spent in high school. 

Thank you for guiding me in the right direction, for helping me find what I love, and for teaching what you love. All of your students have benefited and will continue to benefit. I wish you the best of luck with the rest of this school year. Try not to miss me as much as I miss all of you. 

Thank you for everything. 

Love and Blessings, 
Your High School Graduate 

A Letter To My Best Friend

Dear Lauren, 

Did I actually just use your real name??? 

I really cannot find words that are strong enough to express how much you mean to me and how much I thank you for all the things you have done for me and all the times that you were there. I just wanted to let you know how much I need you, and how much you mean to me. 

You're my dearest friend - the person I always turn to with my heart and soul. You're always there for me, ready to offer an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold, or a heart to feel. You've been there through both the good times and the bad times. You were my light and warmth when the road got tough. You encouraged me whenever I hesitated. Not all friends stand by you through your joys and sorrows, but you've always been there for me. Thank you.

I've met a lot of people in my life, but I've never met anyone else quite like you. I knew from the start that there was something special about you. You touched my life and wouldn't let go. You brought me unimaginable joy, and you have made me feel like a better person who is able to take on the world. I think we were destined to become friends, and I'm grateful for God who brought us together. True friends are hard to find; that's why I'm glad I've got you. 

You are so special to me, and you cannot be replaced. You are always willing to help no matter what the situation holds. You always support me in everything I do. I hope one day you can lean on me as much as I've leaned on you. Your friendship helps me realize how blessed I truly am. I thank God for bringing you into my life, because I would not be the way I am today without you.

All you have to do is say the word, and I'll be there to lend a hand - day or night, sunny or snowy, happy or sad. I don't know if many people in this world would understand, but to have a friend like you is finding a silver heart in a bag of sand. You are the only one I can tell my soul to, who can relate to me like no other, who I can laugh with to no extent, and who can help me with all the problems I have to face of my life. Never have you turned your back on me, let me down, or told me I wasn't good enough. You crack me up with laughter and touch my heart with your kindness. I love you more than words can say, and I will no matter what happens. 

I look up to you because you are strong, caring, and beautiful (among other things!). I hope you know that I will always be there to listen to you, laugh with you, cry with you, and help you in all the ways that I possibly can. Through smiles and tears, laughter and heartache, you've been a part of my life. Going through this time of not hearing your voice or seeing your smile is rough. I look forward to the time we share, and I cherish all the memories we have already made. 

You always put other people first. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. You have impacted so many lives, and I would not be the person I am today without you. In times of trouble and in times of thanks, you stood by my side and held me up.You supported me when I was in tears from sadness and from joy. I've never needed anyone in my life as much as I need you now. 

Nobody will ever find another person more special than you are. I would fall apart if anything ever happened to our friendship. Everyday it just grows stronger and stronger. You are worth more than real gold. I could never imagine life without you, because that would be like an overused pencil - extremely dull. You play a major part in my life, and I hold you incredibly close to my heart. I treasure your soul like no other. You've helped me so much during the time I've known you, and I only hope that I can return the favor. 

I love you so so so so much, and I can't wait to see you again soon so we can sing and watch movies and drive around aimlessly together. I miss being the DJ of our car rides... But until then, keep making memories, and call me whenever you need me. Don't miss me too much! 

"Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints on your heart." 

All My Love and Lots of Prayers, 

Lindsay (Your BFF 5ever, because 5 is greater than 4.)

A Letter To My Ex

To My Ex: 

You may never read this letter, but these are the kindest words I have ever said to you.

You're emotionally abusive and manipulative. You hurt me deeply and you knew it, even though you always denied any any wrongdoing. You sold me a dream, but you failed to mention that I would never be a part of it. You used me so badly that I almost can't believe it actually happened. You gave me nothing. 

You positioned yourself so carefully by making sure you never quite lied or told me an untruth. You had an answer for everything, and on the rare occasion that you didn't, you never quite gave an answer. In this way you were able to walk away from this feeling as though you were good to me. But your behavior and manipulation is reprehensible. Even when we parted ways last, you just said, "Goodnight," expecting me to text you in a week and stroke your ego again and prove how much I like you. All those times it was over, you denied me simple closure. You couldn't even give me that, and of course I came back to try and make it right. Well, this is my closure.

Despite all of this, I remained by your side. I believed in you, and I saw great things in you. I believed your behavior was coming from a place of hurt and pain. The things that happened to you in your past affected you so deeply, and I kept thinking that if I showed you enough kindness, you would come around. I saw so much potential in you. But at the crux of it, you don't think anyone can truly love you for who you are, and so you value people by what you can get out of them. You give as little as possible so that when things fall apart, you never have to feel rejected. You throw yourself into material things that make you feel good for a little while because those things will never dump you. You are living a self-fulfilling prophecy. No one will truly love you like this. I thought I was in love with you, but in reality, I was in love with the man you could be - not the man you think you are.

That being said, I still believe in you. I know how much potential you have. One day I truly hope you will become the man I know you can be, but I will not be waiting around for that. 

You and I will always be unfinished business. There will never be true closure. There are things left unsaid and undone, but they will always be that way. There are certain people who come into your life and leave a mark. You left me with a bruise of longing. Hearing your name will always pull at my heart, but letting you burn me has taught me more lessons than I could express in words. Unfortunately I was never able to make you reciprocate my feelings, but that's okay now because it's over.

This is the kindest letter I could send you because it's a truth that you need to hear. This is my closure. I am completing the unfinished business I have now so that I am free as I move into this next phase of my life unencumbered. I hope you grow up someday. 

Best Wishes, 

The Girl Who Never Left

I Miss My Friends!

I've been missing my friends at home a lot lately, especially these guys. Skyping with LV and Matt today made me realize how far I actually am from home. 

Shannon - you're like a ray of sunshine in my life. You are my glass half-full. I miss you immensely. I hope you're having a great time at NHIA! You make an extremely cute sloth!

Jillybean - I really miss just being around you in general. You get me and I get you...like 2 peas in a pod. We feel the same about literally everyone, and that's why we work. I hope you're not meeting too many weirdos in Bitch (I mean Fitch!) burg.

Matt - I miss your big giant bear hugs and your sass and your everything. I hope you have a killer senior year this year. No matter how much we make fun of each other, I really enjoy our friendship sometimes. Break a leg in both shows, and make sure you Skype me and sing at some point! 

LV - Who woulda thought I would miss you so much? You're literally my other half because without you, I'm just LV, and you're just LV, but together we make up (LV)². I love you more than life. I can't wait until I see you again so I can run up to you and wrap you in a violent hug. Legit whenever we're together we have the best conversations, and like if anyone else heard us we would be put in a mental hospital, and that is why I love you so much. Thanks for being so awesome. 

I love you guys so much. Thanks for being the bestestestest friends everrrrrr. I hope y'all are doing great at your various schools! Can't wait to see y'all again sometime soon! 

Thanks For Being My Friends, Old and New

Hey y'all, first I just wanna thank you guys for reading my blog posts. Never expected 195 page views! This is really cool. But this post is mainly just to talk about how grateful I am for my friends, old and new.

"Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, and the other's gold."

I miss my friends from back home everyday. It's hard to keep in touch with everyone because we all have so much going on in our lives right now. We're all on different time schedules, and we don't talk everyday like we used to. But I am forever thankful to my friends who do still talk to me when they have the chance, especially LV, Jillybean, Angela, Rissa, and Shannon. I miss all of you so much, but I'm so excited to hear about all of the amazing adventures you are about to experience during these next few months. I am so proud of all of you, and I'm so lucky to call you guys my friends. I can't wait until the day when I can say, "I knew them when..." because God has some great things in store for all of you.

And now for my new friends here at Franciscan. I never expected to make friends so quickly, and even more than that, I definitely did not expect to feel this close to you guys already. I am so thankful for each and every one of you; you make days when I'm missing home easier. I enjoy every minute with you, whether it's movie nights, praying together, study sessions, or just hanging out doing something stupid. Leah, Jim, Kiana, Bailey, Mark, CJ, Pat - you guys are just straight up awesome. I'm so incredibly excited to spend the next four years with you, going on more adventures and rolling down more hills. Thanks be to God for bringing me to all of you wonderful people.

Well it's like 3:30 a.m. and I'm now exhausted, but this post couldn't wait until tomorrow. I've never felt so joyful yet serene in my entire life, and I just wanted to take a minute and thank all of my friends for being my friends. I love you guys, to the moon and back. Goodnight!

10 Things To Do Before Graduation

As some of my friends back home start their senior year at ECHS, I have been reminiscing about some of my own memories of last year. The boat cruise, football games, homecoming, the play, the musical, concerts, basketball games, senior farewell, the picnic, prom, graduation, and all of the other adventures in between. Senior year goes by so quickly, and all seniors at some point vocalize how they just want to be done. It's inevitable - schoolwork, homework, college essays, college applications, and a whole bunch of other factors make you want to leave high school as soon as possible. But high school is the only time of your life where you get to cultivate friendships in a safe place where you see each other everyday; where you can try new things that you've never done before without being judged; where you start to find out what your true interests and passions are, potentially leading you to a major or career field; and most importantly, where you make memories that tell your story. Memories that will last a lifetime.

Don't wish senior year away too often. Sitting in a college dorm reminds me of how there are some things I either wish I did or wish I did MORE while still in high school. As a result, I'm giving you the best list yet: 10 Things To Do Before Graduation.

1. Try something new, whether it be a sport or a play or an instrument.

2. Make plans with all of your friends to do something at least every other weekend. This is the last year where you'll have "easy access" to each other all of the time. Take advantage of it. You won't realize how much you'll miss your best friend until you're 320 miles away from them.

3. Thank the cafeteria workers. Even though school cafeteria food may be disgusting, they work really hard. A simple "thank you" paired with a smile goes a long way.

4. Do something out of your comfort zone! Go zip lining or rock climbing or cliff jumping or something crazy! Be fearless and reckless.

5. Tell a teacher how much he or she has impacted your life (in a positive way). I had a history teacher, Mrs. Ward, who basically helped shape who I am. She was the toughest teacher I've ever had, but I am eternally grateful to her for everything she has done for me.

6. Go to sports games and musical performances! Your classmates love being cheered on. Every high school student lives for their moment in the spotlight, even if just a few minutes onstage. Support each other instead of fighting with each other.

7. Pray a lot. This is cliché, but prayer is actually really important, and it can get you really far in life. Prayer will make your life more serene, and you will find yourself at peace more often than not.

8. Take pictures! You have dorm room walls to decorate next year!

9. Thank your parents. Hug them a lot. Tell them how much you love them. Don't yell at them or fight with them so often. They are sacrificing a lot for you, even if you don't see it.

10. HAVE FUN! Senior year is probably the best year I've ever experienced in my life. There were so many new and beautiful experiences that I never expected. Make the most of your senior year, because you will be walking away from receiving your diploma faster than you think.