The Family: 

Mom

You said recently that home is my safe place, and I’ve never really thought about that before, but it’s absolutely true. Even through the days when school gets increasingly more difficult to endure, I know I can come home to you and release whatever emotions I can’t during the day. It’s hard to vocalize how much you’ve truly helped me over the years, although you don’t think you do much, even just slowly making our way through our endless movie list makes me forget about whatever happened during the day.

Dad

I will admit that I truly didn’t enjoy the “teachable moments” we had when I was younger, but now I understand and honestly appreciate what they meant. You taught me how to treat people. I know the ins and outs of school and how to go about social hardships, but most importantly, you taught me how to treat my teachers. Although it’s incredibly cliche and overused, you told me to be myself. It’s harder than I thought it would be, but it’s the best advice you’ve given me.

Erik

I think we have the usual brother-sister relationship: we like each other most of the time, we fight sometimes, but we love each other always. Even though we have our frequent disagreements, I’ll always promise to keep buying you sweet treats after school—even if you finish eating them before we get home—and helping you with your homework, even your math, because I hate to see you upset.

Devin

We understand each other in ways other people don’t. You don’t just show sympathy for my anxiety, you’ve been through the same thing. We both have our horror stories, but instead of tearing us apart, like it does for some people, it has connected us. The fact that you’ve cared enough to stay up for hours on the phone, multiple times a week, to meditate with me or even just offer a safe place to get away from everything has given me hope that there are better things in the future. 

Vinnie

I used to wake up in the middle of the night crying because I missed you. I never knew you personally, but the significant amount of time we spend talking about you should prove that our collective love has not faded. I grieve the sibling relationship we could’ve had and the extraordinary person you would’ve been.

Gram and Gramps

I’m not quite sure that anything I write will do either of you justice. The fact that you both still actively try to make my days better, even after everything you have endured, shows just how resilient you are. I’m already telling you things you know, but I mean them from the bottom of my heart. On a more lighthearted note, I love the little things you both do to make me smile when I’ve had enough of a family gathering. Gram, your not-so-PG humor continues to floor me, and Grandpa, your habit of rolling your eyes at the things Gram says never fails to brighten my day. Despite both of your objections, I do love you more.

Granny and Grandpa 

Both of you symbolize the aphorism, “It’s the little things that count.” You always come all the way out to our orchestra concerts, even if they are short; you’re always so willing to let us stay with you in Calumet—which is one of my favorite parts of the whole year. Grandpa, your weekly texts always ensure I wake up with a smile on my face, and Granny, your seasonal cards never fail to add a little extra warmth to the holidays.

Culver’s Crew: 

Mr. and Mrs. Ceton, for being like a third set of grandparents to me and my brother and being people I can always count on. Mr. and Mrs. Stone, for always sprinkling our Wednesdays with a little bit of humor and making the middle of the week something to look forward to. Mr. Wilson, for having countless relatable stories—you’re someone I can always count on having playful banter with. Mr. Merchant, for always thinking of me for the little things and giving me expectations to live up to. Mr. Hammons, for continuing to be a friend to all of us while in another state. Mike and Tony, for making sure I don’t have a boyfriend—it honestly has helped—and giving me advice to last a lifetime. 

TCT: 

Evelyn, for being hilarious without even trying and having such iconic sarcastic humor. Maylee, for being one of the sweetest humans alive and sharing your passions with us. Kathryn, for being such a relatable person and writing stories that completely blow me away. Monia, for being so wonderful and down to earth every single day. Elle, for having such an amazing work ethic and being someone to look up to. Alex, thank you for knowing the ins and outs of our job and helping me answer any stupid questions I have. We really work well together, even when one of us is feeling down, we make each other laugh somehow. You are so incredibly involved in every aspect of the community and always try to do everything you can to make the space around you better. I’m so proud of you. Ella, for making room 216 shine a little brighter every day with your positive outlook on life. Addie Dubs, for simply being someone I can talk to and founding the Buzzfeed Quiz Fridays. Micah, for being the sweetest and funniest person; it’s honestly unfair that you have both of those qualities AND you’re a fantastic writer. Ellerie, for being so selfless and always making sure I’m doing okay. Addie M, for being hilarious and relatable. We need to have another adventure at McDonalds soon. All of WFP, for making my day better after lunch.

Teachers: 

Mr. Pool, for giving me an opportunity all these years to express myself musically and making me realize just how much this passion has impacted me. Mrs. Lipke, for making math more bearable and personalizing the class. Mr. Vandenburg, for fitting into the school environment so well and making Forensics one of my favorite parts of the day. Mrs. Penninga, simply for being a kind person and making your classroom one of the safest places in the school. Mr. George (junior), for giving me a space to improve my writing skills and prove that I’m more than my grades. Mr. George (senior), for continuing to care about me, even though we don’t see each other every day, and for making my life a better place—I’m forever grateful for the opportunities you’ve provided me.

Neighborhood Fam: 

Mrs. Vandommlen, for always being there for our family, no matter the circumstances. Ms. Suzie, for being my rock all these years and someone I could go to for anything. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy, for being the ones we could spend a night of board games with and being some of the most selfless people. Karmyn, for being so effortlessly funny and making sure we always catch up every once in a while. Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter, for being the neighborhood parents and supporting effortless conversations during our bonfire nights. Meredith, for knowing I can lean on you for anything, even if we haven’t talked in years, and being such a comforting person. Mrs. Kenyon, for going on walks during COVID and having our Sonic trips on the weekend. Taylor, thank you for being such an inspiration to keep following your dreams as you’ve worked so hard to achieve them. Mrs. Benson, for being so tirelessly funny and having a larger-than-life personality that I look up to. Mrs. Hatley, for always being someone I can count on and teaching me random life skills when I used to help you with your yard work. Mr. and Mrs. Turley, for being like a second family to me and making our weekend bonfires more entertaining. Ryan, for sticking with me through our troubles as kids and being someone I can tell anything to. Steven, for staying involved in all the neighborhood shenanigans even though you’re across the country. Kendra, for being the sister I wish I had and continually being the person I need.

Mrs. Kelly:

You’ve been there for me since the very beginning. I have such vivid memories of our sessions, even from when I was six, and although I remember some days being especially hard, you always made sure I was comfortable. We share a lot of the same views, and I appreciate how you provide a place for me to talk so freely. 

Avery: 

I know you don’t do particularly well with emotional conversations, so I’ll talk about you in this story instead. It’s hard for me to articulate how much you’ve helped me over the last couple of years. When I’m having a particularly bad day, you find a way to make me laugh somehow; honestly, I think I’ve laughed harder with you than I have in my entire life. Whether we’re at Forest Hills Foods having a parking lot feast at two in the morning or we’re in your room keeping your parents awake by laughing at old pictures, you’re a fun person to be around.

Those Who Don’t Think I Notice: 

Nova, for being there for me when I needed it. Sofia, for being so intellectual and always willing to learn. Abbie, for having god-like skills at violin that everyone tries to live up to and being so nice to me even when I have numerous stupid questions in math. Audrey, for being so silently sweet and nice to everyone you know. Daulton, for providing a lot of laughter for me but being willing to have my back through anything. Sydney, for being that person, I can just look at things and laugh about them together. Kaden, for still being so nice to me and incredibly funny, even though we can’t mess around in APES together anymore.