I’ve never had to say goodbye to any seniors. I’ve never been close to anyone who’s graduating before. But this year I’ve made a lot of meaningful relationships with a lot of seniors, and it’s almost time to say goodbye. So, this is it.

The one I’ve known the longest-

You will always be my hardest goodbye. I grew up with you, and now you won’t be there all the time. Who’s going to call me kid, tell me I’m twelve, or whistle my name in the hallway.

You’ve been here my whole life. You’re going to be five hours away now, and ultimately it’s not that far. But it’s farther than down the hall, or at the computer.

I don’t believe it’s going to be easy for you either. It’s hard to be left behind, but I know it’s hard to leave. That doesn’t make it any easier.

I wish we could decide to take the easy way out— the one where you never leave—but I know you need to do this. 

I’m going to miss you so much, but I’m ready to see who you become on your own. I’m ready to see what you do with your life, even if I’m not ready for you to leave. But it’ll be okay, because you’ll be back. I’ll see you soon.

The one who taught me life lessons-

I got in the car not knowing what to expect. I mean, I’m a freshman, so why would you want to talk to me? But you did talk to me. A lot. As we’ve established, every talkative person needs a quiet person to listen to them. So I listened. I listened to everything you’ve ever told me, and I’ve taken it all to heart.

I know so much, not only about myself but about the world and life too, all thanks to you. Because, everything you tell me is a life lesson, and everything you tell me teaches me something.

I’ve learned that it’s okay to do what’s best for me, but that barely even brushes the surface of what you taught me. I’ll have to teach myself now.

I don’t know what I’m going to do without you next year. I’m going to have to walk through life without you telling me about it. I’m going to have to sit in the car and listen to myself. You won’t be there to listen. I’ll have to wallow in the silence and drown in my own thoughts.

I think you’re ready though. To be your own person, to experience life, to get out. I think you’re ready. So I’m ready too.

The one who introduced me to my favorite hobby-

The first day I met you you said “You do crew right?” I said “Yep, that’s me,” and you gave me a high five. I’ve loved you ever since.

You introduced me to my favorite part of the year: Theater. You introduced me to my favorite part of the experience: Costumes. I’ve already had to say a small goodbye to you once when you left the theater. Now I have to actually say goodbye. For real. This is a real goodbye. One that will last until you come home again in several months. Not one that lasts until I see you in the hallway the next day, or at practice.

I have to do without a hug at practice, or sarcastic complaints about the guys. I won’t get to compliment your earrings every day.

I know that you’re moving on to better things, but I wish you didn’t have to. I wish you could stay. But I’m happy for you nonetheless, and through all the sadness is excitement. I know that there is so much in store for you. But I’ll always miss you.

The one who never fails to make me smile-

I never knew someone could have so much energy, and happiness, and be so bubbly until I met you. Your personality is everything that I want to be.

You’re happy, you’re kind, you’re funny. You make me smile whenever I talk to you. Just being near you gives me so much energy and happiness.

You are one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. You talk to everyone, and you’re kind to them. It’s who I want to be. You have been an amazing role model to me.

I’m going to try to keep you with me by following in your footsteps. You are exactly who I want to be, so I will do my best to do you proud and be who I want. 

I’ll miss you more than you know, but you’ll always be with me. In the Instagram photos, on the couch, at practice. You’ll always be there.

To the prettiest princess at the ball-

You mean a lot more to me than you probably think you do.

I’ve said it before, but I don’t know you super well. That doesn’t make you mean any less. I’ve learned a lot from you over the time that I’ve known you.

I’ve learned that I should be myself. I’ve learned that I should be confident. I’ve learned to be kind. I observed you for two weeks—which sounds creepier than it’s meant to—and I will remember that time forever.

You make me laugh, and smile, and, now that you’re leaving, cry. I don’t know if you’ll remember any of that time, or me, after you’ve gone, but I’ll always remember.

You have made me better, and you helped shape the way I see the theater. Thank you so much for everything, and for being you. I’m going to miss you dearly.

The one who always tells me I’m awesome (but really you are)-

You’ve done so much for me. You’ll never know what it all meant to me. Just having you there was a gift. But you talked to me and laughed with me, and you tell me I’m awesome quite often. That means so much.

I know that the time we spent together was stressful and busy, but that didn’t make it mean any less special. You’ve helped me develop as a person, and as a crew member. You’ve taught me a lot.

I’m going to have to do it all by myself next year, and I’m not quite sure how to handle that. But you did it, so I think that I can too.

I’m going to do my best for you. I’m going to miss you, but I know that you’ll thrive in your new environment. It’s time.

Goodbye isn’t something that comes easy, but it’s time. I know that all of you will be happy, and I will be too. But I’ll miss you terribly. You’ve helped me become who I am, so I don’t know how to do it without you. But I’ll try my best, and I know you will too. I’ll miss you.

Thank you, for making me who I am.