Yes, I know it’s long. If you are included in this, you should know that I’m a yapper. Hope you like it!

To Charlie, for giving me a glimpse at what it would look like to have a sister

Thank you. Truly, thank you. I’m so happy we stayed best friends throughout the years I was moving, and I’m so incredibly grateful you decided to keep me around through every weird phase I had. After finding pictures from sixth grade, I’m genuinely surprised to see you stuck around through… whatever that was. 

Playing Roblox with you and calling for hours on end will be something I’ll never forget. We should play Infectious Smile again soon; the nostalgia will be crazy, and I’ll have access to a baseball bat. 

I still remember the notebook filled with the notes you gave me in order to become friends with me in second grade. I loved all of that stuff, and I still look at it now. I’m so happy that somehow, through eight billion people, the universe brought us together.

The brightest memory I have was hiding under my bunk bed, and our parents freaking out about how they thought we had run away. I was laughing so hard while getting yelled at because, honestly, it was hilarious. We snuck the Nintendo controller underneath too, and I can’t believe it didn’t completely give us away. It’s moments like those I look back on and smile the most, our childish nature, while in reality, we were dealing with things that kids shouldn’t witness. You were one of the only people I felt my age around, and the only person I could be a kid near. I’ve never had to put up an act around you, Charlie. Thank you for that.

I remember staying up late on certain nights, when it felt like my world was falling apart, and I could always refer back to you. You were always there, always supporting, always present, no matter what. Even the days when you were most definitely not supposed to be on your phone, you snuck it to comfort me. That meant so much to me, Charlie. I hope you know that no matter what crazy stuff is happening in my own life, I will forever be here for you. I don’t care how heavy it is, how insane it might sound, how sad it might make me; I will listen. I’m almost crying writing this, thinking about how many times I felt lost, and you were the tiny light that kept me pushing. You have shown me the true meaning behind being best friends with someone. I owe you so much.

Speaking of the present, I know that life has gotten busy. I’ll call you anytime, and I hope that in the future we’ll be able to see each other again. The universe surely knew we were too good a duo and had to nerf us somehow. 

Thank you for showing me that distance doesn’t matter if the relationship does. I will continue to bring you up in conversation, as I know that you’d make some goofy comment. I’ll continue to say our inside jokes even if nobody gets them, since I know that if you were there, you’d understand. I’ll continue to beg my mom to drive us over to Midland even if it’s a two-hour drive. You’re my ride or die, girly, and I’m so grateful to have the privilege to call you my best friend.

You are one of the people I know who will be my maid of honor at my wedding. I know that through college I will happily make the however many hour drive to see you, though, let’s hope we’ll move closer. If we graduate on different days, I will be in the crowd cheering for you. I’ll make it to your biggest moments, and I hope to grow up enough to the point where we’re old ladies giggling about how we used to laugh so much over a game we played. I hope we keep the “no tomate” joke around, and I hope that we’ll remember the past summer, contemplating what we were doing with our lives.

I appreciate everything you do, Charlie. Thank you for being the best friend I could’ve ever possibly asked for. I’m excited to continue making memories, growing on the ones we already made. 

And to end this off perfectly: I love your sawnick rings.

To Molly, for being the witness to my chair-stealing

I have so much to thank you for.

I remember in seventh grade meeting you and finding that you were such a goofy—and hilarious—person to be around. You always made sure to include me in the volleyball team discussions, and even now, you push to make sure I’m included in all the events. I appreciate that, Molly, you’ve really been a key aspect in making me feel like I had a place when I didn’t have anyone. That stuck with me.

Thank you for listening to me when I was going through more than I could’ve expected. Thank you for never sharing my personal stories or anything I needed to rant about. Thank you for validating my feelings when I felt that no one supported my point of view. You were always there when I needed you, and I hope you know I will, every single time, do the same. I’m so happy we became close again this year; our friendship is something I desperately needed. You will always find a way to make me laugh.

I enjoy our WFP moments so much, on our phones and spamming everyone instead of locking in (sorry, Mr. George, it was a one-time thing, I swear). I love our table in the middle of the room, or even the one outside of it that got far too many comments from the bystanders. I love all the crazy things we do that, in retrospect, are incredibly irresponsible, but who cares, we’re kids.

I’m so happy that you’ve found someone who can treat you as you deserve. Just know, I’m here whenever you need me. I’m a call away, or a five-minute bike ride, and you’re always welcome to come over. I cannot stress that enough. You’re the reason I began to feel stable again in middle school, after everything that was going on, and I owe you the world for that.

Thank you for being Molly. You’ve never switched up on me, and I appreciate it. You’ve embraced every moment, and I aspire to be like that. You’re someone to look up to, and I don’t think sometimes you realize just how much you matter. 

I’m excited to go to the mall this weekend and feel like a true teenage girl with you. I’m especially excited to force the group into a tiny photo booth so we can all get pictures together. I love all the memories we make, and I’m so happy that we have four years, and hopefully time after that, to make so many more.

To end yours: I will forever hate the word flaps now. Please, never do we mention that word ever again.

To Olivia, for being my crash-out buddy in every class

To the crash-outs we’ve had, and looking at what’s to come, so many more.

I remember vividly sobbing over the geometry in Mrs. Gallert’s class. The problem asked me for the diameter, I think, instead of radius, and the rage I felt in that moment was insane. You’ve seen me through moments like that and surprisingly stuck around, so thank you. It’s always so nice to have a person I can be genuinely crazy around and not be judged for it. Your presence is so freeing, Livvy.

Thank you for listening to the hundreds upon hundreds of conversations in last year’s English class. I needed those debriefing sessions, and the ones we have now are so awesome, too. I feel like I’m living through girlhood with you, and you should be proud of yourself that you can give that to a person.

I know you hate the sappy stuff, but let me have my soapbox for one paragraph at the maximum, and I’ll be done. Thank you for being a part of my life. I’m so happy that you’re next to me, at least in two classes, where I can talk to you and rant about everything. I couldn’t imagine high school, and frankly, middle school years, without you. I admire your passion for your faith. I think your figure skating is beautiful, and no matter what anyone says, you’re amazing at it. You, in general, are beautiful, Olivia. I will repeat that however many times you need to hear it, inside and out, you are so pretty.

I love shopping with you and goofing around in French 2. I love texting you in all caps 24/7 about the weirdest things because I know you’ll understand what I’m saying. I’m so happy we became friends, because I know that I can come to you with anything and you’ll support me. I’ve never felt judged, and our conversations are constantly filled with laughter. I love realizing that we have a quiz the next day, both pulling the same emote, and then giggling about it for 20 minutes. It is those moments where I realize how lucky I am to have met you.

Thank you for being honest with me in moments I need it. Thank you for being open about incredibly personal things. Thank you for being you.

Thank you for sticking around, through the good and the bad. I don’t think you can even begin to understand just how great a person you are, Olivia. I’m always here for you, always a text away. There will never be a moment when I sacrifice that for something else. And if I ever in the event do, slap me across the face. You have full permission.

I hope to stay friends with each other in the future, going to important events where instead of listening, we look across the room and start bursting out laughing. You are that person for me. Thank you.

The moment you made this joke, I knew exactly how I was gonna end this:

Bogos binted?

To Addy, for being so wise that I feel like I’m talking to my therapist

Honestly, I’ve never felt more understood than when around you. You are easily one of the kindest people I know. Your advice and listening mean so much to me and clearly to other people as well. I hope you know that there are so many people who appreciate you, and I’m proud to be one of the people who can call you their friend.

I admire the way you carry yourself, I admire your work ethic, and the fact that you always push yourself to be better than last time. I can tell even from just now that you’re gonna do amazing things, it’s simply just the way you are.

Thank you for listening to all my stupid rants, and thank you for putting up with me through them all. Speaking of which, we need more inside jokes, please.

I love Mrs. Post’s class with you, even though you’re usually the only one locked in at all. Thank you so much for being my friend and continuing to grow yourself as a person. You’re beautiful, girly, inside and out. I hope you know that.

To end this, I’ll say the only thing I can think of right now:

Mrs. Gallert’s crash-outs went crazy.

To Yasin, for being my accomplice in the airhead extreme passing out

I could go into so much detail, but for your sanity and my privacy, we’ll keep it brief.

Thank you for getting me through everything that happened in 6th grade. Even while going through your own stuff, you always showed up. You genuinely care for others, and that’s so admirable. I cannot thank you enough for listening to my countless vent sessions when I was going through more than I could carry. 

I remember showing up on the bus to the infamous Sutton’s Bay field trip and barely knowing anyone. Mr. Lillie’s class had moved off the bus, and I vividly recall that I started saying the first nightmares I’d ever had before. The ride back was even worse, two Cokes in and hyperactive kids galore. I’m still shocked that the teachers didn’t chop our heads off. That trip made my year. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the chaos that ensued there.

You were the one true friend I had in that class, and the one I could always rely on. Genuinely, the only reason I survived that year was our friendship; I’m really grateful for that.

Later that year, I brought in airhead extremes, and that will be the brightest memory from that year. Through all the darkness, sad moments, and perfectionism freak-outs, giving out and passing candy was the highlight. It was hilarious to see you get energized and obsessed over them… dare I reveal the snorting?

Thank you for supporting my Roblox addiction and being a victim of the Gacha Life music videos. I really apologize for showing you Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing. That was… an interesting move by me. Yet, you put up with it through it all! Thank you.

I’m excited to see if your college plans that you’ve had for years are actually what you’ll do. Remember to take it easy; you do a lot, and everyone needs a break sometimes. I don’t think you recognize just how much you give to others. People, including myself, are thankful for that. You’re an awesome human being, Yasin. Don’t get too hard on yourself.

I’m happy to see how much you’ve grown over the years, and I’m overjoyed to see that you’re doing better, at least in terms of intermediate. Thank you for giving me a place at this school, and on our team when I knew no one. Seriously, thank you. Words don’t express that enough. You’ve done a lot, Yasin.

To finish this off:

Dream team reunited!

To Carolina, for being the Chungus I need in my life

Whatever you saw in me, thank God you stuck around. I don’t even know what I was thinking in fifth grade.

Through every up and down, you’ve been there, Carolina. Even when dealing with your own things, you made it a point to maintain everything else that was going on in your life. I’m so happy I met you, and I’m so happy that I can talk to you every day. You matter so much to me, Carolina, even if you don’t see that. I cannot stress enough how much I genuinely care about you. If you ever need anything, I’m always just a phone call or text message away. I never want you to ever feel like no one is there, because it simply isn’t true. I will be.

On a less-sappy note, thank you for always making sure I’m cackling. You’ve made me cry laughing, snort, or anything of the sort too many times to count. I look back on videos of us from sleepovers, and I can’t help but smile while I watch us go clinically insane. Seriously, the sleep deprivation scares me. We literally could’ve done anything our minds set us out to do.

That isn’t a great thing if you think about some of the ideas we’ve had.

I especially love math with you this year, crashing out about the never-ending linear problems that we can’t seem to catch up on. It’s an honor to call you my day one, and I think that in this school district, you’re the person I’ve known the longest. I couldn’t have picked a better person to have that badge.

I remember the countless times we clipped each other over calls; I remember having the deepest conversations with you, and two minutes later switching up to something else. It is times like those that I reflect and see how good I have it. You’re the person I can be serious with and at the same time the complete opposite, and that’s how I know our friendship is amazing.

Thank you for making the wildest comments, thank you for being there, thank you for trusting me with heavy things. Thank you for never switching up, and thank you for having my back when people were being stupid.

You’re one of the funniest, craziest–in a good way, exquisite people I’ve ever met. My mom, the Mrs. Dombrowski, will agree with me on that 100% too. You’re blunt, but only when it’s needed. I’m so happy that you’ve found someone who treats you how they should. By the way, if he ever does anything, you know where to find me.

I hope that you’ll be a bridesmaid at my wedding. I’m so excited to graduate together, as even though it’s in a couple of years, it’s coming up fast. I would love to be able to grow up together, still laughing over the random shenanigans we pulled.

Before my iconic outro, I have to say, we need to have a sleepover again. I miss you.

For any outsiders (why are you reading this?) I promise this makes sense and isn’t an insult. 

To bring the tradition back up and perfectly finish this:

“You’re a loser, for sure!”

To Penelope, for filling me in on every detail within the crew team

Gosh, girl, I knew you last year, but this year has really made a difference. I’m so happy to be able to consider you my friend.

Truthfully, I don’t believe you were thinking you’d get a couple of paragraphs, or that you would in general have a spot on this list. You don’t see enough how amazing you are, and I think that wholeheartedly. Give yourself some credit. I, personally, can say thank you for always making me feel included. In ELA and outside of it, you’re always keeping me updated.  Thank you for needlessly checking every conversation so that I’m caught up. Thank you for making me feel like I have a place in a team I’m not technically a part of. You give so much, and I hope you feel the same, too.

I remember you calling me while I was in Indiana and you telling me all that went down. You brought up my mood so incredibly much, and made me feel included when I was honestly heartbroken that I couldn’t be there. I appreciated that moment like crazy, and I don’t think I expressed that to you enough.

I saw your comment on my story and the ones further and felt so honored to call you my friend. You’re so sweet, always supporting me from wherever. I’m so excited to share with you everything I create, and I’m especially inclined to see your reaction to this specific story. I think you’ll be ecstatic, maybe?

Thank you for texting back even when I’m talking about something that doesn’t pertain specifically to you. I’m grateful to have somebody who’ll listen to me giggle about the silliest topics. I’m so thankful that you express how happy you are for me.

Thank you for everything, Penelope. Truly, you deserve more than you think you do. 

You’re the rainbow dash to my rarity, twin.

To Jess, my favorite golf partner of all time

Thank you for all the golf crash-outs, all the debriefs, all the hangouts, all the simulator times, and all the little moments. I’m so happy I met you through a sport I didn’t even know if I was gonna play this year. 

I remember hopping on that golf cart and praying that I would meet someone new that I adored. And wow, I was right. I loved being on a team with you and talking about your APUSH homework. I love sending you Snapchat reels of myself, ranting, screaming, or even crying. I love watching your responses where you support every point I make without fail. Thank you for being so amazing, Jess. I’m so glad I met someone like you.

We need to train all summer, and I am determined for us both, or you to make varsity. I know when you graduate, I’ll be in the stands cheering and screaming, “Go Jess!” I hope to show up at your job one day and surprise you at the host stand. 

We should go shopping together sometime soon, that’d be so fun.

Thank you for welcoming me into your life, and I appreciate you so much. I’m gonna miss you a lot when you finally go to college, but let’s not think about that yet. We have to make the most of our time.

To end yours off:

I’m so good at driving… just don’t talk about how I almost crashed the golf cart.

To the TCT squad, for showing me the ropes and guiding me through life

Thank you, Sophia, for always first editing my papers. Thank you for being so supportive, even when you have tons of other stuff going on. Thank you for taking all my leftover food and consuming it so that my mom thinks I’m finishing my lunch, but in reality, I’m not (Mom, if you’re reading this, I’m sorry?). I love the way you carry yourself, and I think it’s so admirable that you write about topics that are vulnerable but the truth. I appreciate you teaching Molly and me the intricacies of The Central Trend, and even sometimes now, because gosh, it gets confusing. I really enjoy my time with you this year, and I’m so happy that I can call you a friend. You matter so much, and whatever stuff you have going on, just know I’m here for you through it all. Thank you, Nova, for acting like a mentor for me when I’m stressed out of my mind. No matter what, I can always rely on the advice you give me. I appreciate that you take time out of your day to try and ease the things I carry with me. Thank you for offering me a ride if anything ever happens, and thank you for caring so immensely about other people. I see a lot of myself in you, truthfully; it’s like having an older sibling that I won’t ever get the chance to have. Truly, when you talked to me about my column and made sure that everything was okay, that stuck with me. It was nice knowing that someone understood, at least somewhat, and wanted to make sure I was doing alright. You’re clearly going to do amazing in college, and I’m sure that you’ll be an amazing asset in politics. Your opinions are so needed in our world, and I hope that one day I’ll see you and think, hey, I knew them!

Thank you, Elle, for editing all my papers. I admire your work ethic, and I think your outfits are bottom line outstanding. You’re clearly such a great person, and I wish you luck on all your future endeavors. Also, your writing is beautiful!

To the ones who have gotten me through countless class periods

Thank you, Lyla, for doing student council the past couple of years with me, even though our time was cut short this year. Thank you for messing around with me in ELA when Mrs. Velie keeps going on and on about poetry. Thank you, Katy, for always partnering up with me. Also, thank you for having my back about the crew team; I won’t get hit in the head as you did, so I think it’s a sign to stay away. I’d love to keep getting to know you, girly! Thank you, Lucy, for being my biology partner through all the rough assignments we have to do. I appreciate your presence when I’m exhausted from class. Romona, thank you for being so kind during the student council. Your appreciation for what I did meant so much to me. You’re smart, funny, and I’m happy that I have the privilege to know you. Nora, thank you for commenting on every story and probably this one as well. I love French 2 with you, and I’ll listen to every yapping session. Your laugh is amazing, too, by the way. I adore it! Thank you, Siya, for being one of the first people who truly accepted me into FHC. I love our friendship, and I’m so happy that we’re in the student council together. I love every moment. If you ever need anything, I’m just a phone call away. Thank you, Xaidee, for sneaking out at the sleepover with me even though we almost got ratted out. Thank you for being so sweet, you’re so awesome, girly. Thank you, Mara, for being so kind. You’re so strong, and through everything, you’ve been so incredibly supportive. Thank you, Emerson, for getting through the hundreds of biology class periods with me, where I have a feast while “listening.” Thank you, Grace E, for walking with me to every AP World History class period. I can tell, even now, you’re going to fit right into this school district. You’re an amazing runner, too!

To my family, for being so unhinged sometimes, I wonder if you’re actually that much older than me

Thank you all for everything. Yes, this is going to be short and sweet, and I apologize for not giving you fifteen paragraphs like I did my friends. I live with you guys, and as much as I love you, I’d rather say this than write this.

Thank you, Mom, for always having my back. I know now, a lot of the time is filled with arguments, but I am really grateful for you. Thank you for taking care of me the best you could, even when you had your own struggles. Thank you for going sober so that I could have the best childhood possible. Thank you for engaging with all of my friends since Dad never does. Thank you for being my mom. 

I appreciate all you do. You run the house in a way I don’t think I’ll ever be able to. I hope that you’ll be able to calm down sometime and be at peace. As I write this, I’m on page 10, and I think you’d understand if I were a bit burnt out. No matter how many words long, I love you. Thank you for supporting my every move. I pray that at some point, you’ll settle down with Dad and be happy with our house, too.

Thank you, Dad. I end that sentence with a period because there are endless things I could speak about. I really feel like I’ve gotten closer to you over the past year, and I appreciate all the advice that you give me. Thanks for showing me the absolute best movies, and though I doubt your taste sometimes, it continues to prove me wrong time and time again. Thank you for showing me music I don’t think I’d ever find otherwise. Thank you for being the goofball of the family, continuing to make Mom and me laugh through every moment. Thank you for providing and working the most to make sure I have the best life. I’m happy that I have you over anyone else. Thanks for those breakfast sandwiches, too. By the way, those are so good. I love you, Dad. Thank you for always making sure I know that I’m good enough.

Thank you, Grandma Larson, for spoiling me through every holiday since I was born. Thank you for being the funniest, most unhinged grandma I could’ve ever possibly asked for. Don’t tell anyone else, but you’re my favorite in the family tree. Thank you for supporting my every move and making those amazing cheesy potatoes. In general, thank you for making your house always feel like a second home. I hope you’ll be there at my graduation in the crowd, and I hope you’ll be around for my first child, too. I love you, Grandma. Thank you for everything you do.

Special thanks to Sophia Mix and Molly Orians for first editing this. 

It’s a total of over 5000 words. You guys are outstanding. Love you both.

If you, the reader, have made it to the end, I hope that you’ve found your part or been happy to see what I said about someone else. If you’re someone I mentioned, there’s a reason I spoke of you. You have made a difference in my life, and I’m so grateful to have every single one of you. You matter. Through anything that ever happens, and I can’t say this enough, I’ll always be there for you. You all should know my number, so call whenever. Plus, text me so I can see how much you liked your part. I want the reactions, please?

YOLO, ya’ll. I’ll continue to type in caps always. I think that’s the best end out for me.