Dear Class of 2016

Dear Class of 2016,

It’s been two years since we graduated. Two years since we said hello. Two years since most of us have last seen each other. Two years since we said some permanent goodbyes to those we had no idea we would. Two years since we closed one book of our lives and began writing the next.

Two years ago, we said goodbye to our principals and deans, to our teachers and coaches, to friends and foes, to classrooms and buildings. To a place we called home for four years. Cliché I know. But some days we practically lived on campus from senior sunrise in the morning to homecoming dances lasting until eleven at night or for a club or a sport or any other reason to be on campus for.

Let’s admit we wrote keep in touch in countless yearbooks but we never committed. We might have seen some at the college we chose or at the beach or at the mall or a designated alumni night at a sport’s game. However, let’s be honest the most we have seen our former classmates is on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I an count the people I have seen and held a conversation with one hand since graduation excluding graduation parties, group chats and facetimes.

However, in those two years since graduation, I want to say that I miss everyone. Whether you were my best friend or a stranger, whether we were partners in science class or on opposite sides of the room in English class, whether we in the same class or the same lunch. You all were a part of my high school experience and I loved every moment because I grew into who I am today. Sure, there are some I miss more than others, but thank you for helping with my high school experience.

From freshman homecoming to senior prom. From the opening football game to senior night. From the first pep rally to the last. From freshman picture day to senior portraits. From sitting at a lunch table with familiar strangers to eating lunch off campus. From arriving before the lights turned on to arriving right as the bell rang. From taking the bus to driving with your best friend. From joining the first extracurricular to accepting senior cords. From walking through the classroom doors with a heavy textbook to leaving with a single piece of paper called a diploma.

All of those moments happened and even more than I forgot to mention. It all added to my high school experience, so if you were a part of it… thank you.

Sincerely,

Simply Samantha Grace