these last four years have been the most impactful of my life. i’ve laughed harder, cried deeper, and grown more than i ever thought possible. i’m walking away with more than a degree. i’m leaving with memories that will last a lifetime, friendships that changed me, and a heart full of gratitude. to my kiddos... my mentees, my students, my babies. thank you for letting me pour into you, cheer you on, and watch you blossom into your own. you’ve made me feel like the big sister i never knew i needed to be. from every check-in to every moment you told me you couldn’t do it and then proved to yourself you could... i’ve been so incredibly proud. i hope you always remember your worth, your voice, and the impact you already have on this world. to my friends, thank you for being my home away from home. for every chaotic night out, every 2am heart-to-heart, spontaneous food run, and weekly bar outing that turned into our unspoken tradition. thank you for holding space for me in my highs and my lows, for reminding me who i am when i forget, and for never letting me go through anything alone. i would not be the person i am without your love and light. to my family, thank you for every sacrifice you made so i could stand where i do now. for being my biggest cheerleaders, my safety net, and my foundation. your belief in me has carried me through the toughest moments, and everything i’ve achieved is a reflection of the strength, resilience, and love you’ve given me. i truly can’t wait to see what this next chapter brings, not just for all of you, but for me too. no matter how far we end up from each other, know that the memories we’ve made will always bring me back to you. now... someone help me start planning my trips to houston, dallas, new york, atlanta, chicago, kansas city, and beyond because i’m not done annoying y’all yet. tldr: i graduated. i cried. we went out every weekend. i found my forever people. and now i need to figure out how to afford plane tickets and overpriced cocktails in every major city in america.