An Open Letter to My College Roommates

Dear Roommates,

I’ve struggled with ways to say goodbye to you all. In the fall, graduating seemed like a distant dream. But with each day that passed, that dream crept closer and closer along with my anxieties. Now that I’ve finally graduated and the time to leave has come, I remember that time in the fall, sitting on the roof, drinking mediocre mixed drinks, sharing stories and laughing. It seems like a time so far away now. I can grasp at the strands of the memory as they drift but they slip through my fingers.

I wish we could have more nights like that.

Entering my senior year, I was nervous. In an anxiety-ridden daze, I didn’t think this year would live up to the high expectations I had set. I’d like to thank you for clearing a haze. Thank you for making my senior year everything I wanted it to be and more. And even though I wasn’t the perfect roommate, like that one time I accidentally left the oven on all night—even though I never told you guys about it—you guys were.

From that one night in the fall to hung-over Pho dinners, wine and movie nights, playing Cards Against Humanity on the hardwood floor in the living room, crowd surfing at Surf Club’s band night, Game of Thrones watch parties and bonfires in the back yard. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to spend my final year in college with. If I could, I would stay in this house with all of you for four more years, but I don’t think my sanity or my liver would be able to handle the Tallanasty lifestyle for that much longer.

Not to mention, everyone has to move on at some point.

I’m not the best with expressing my emotions, but post-grad life has doused me in a confusing amount of sentiments: sadness, contentment, worry, elation. I’m so incredibly happy to move on to new challenges and for the life I led during my four years, especially my last year with all of you. With that joy comes the competing grief of saying goodbye. It’s a hard goodbye, but hopefully it won’t be forever.

Thank you.