Every now and again, I feel a sparkle in my heart while walking around campus. It happens when I least expect it, and usually when I’m on my way to a very important meeting or a class where I have a presentation.
My first semester of my junior year is coming to a close, and I’ve come to realize so many things since returning to campus this year. My time here is made up of various little “Saint Mary’s moments.” Sure, I tear up when I watch Rudy, feel entirely peaceful at The Grotto, sway with the Alma Mater on game days, and Instagram my fair share of “domepics”, but nothing compares to what comes with being a Belle.
A Saint Mary’s moment is like nothing else.
It was when I got to the post office early and begged Ms. Jayne to let me have my orange package slip because I just KNEW my class ring had come in. And then it was my walk down The Avenue from Holy Cross, where I slowly opened my little, black box of happiness to find my perfect, tiny, beautiful, ever-lasting, forever-on-my-right-hand gold and diamond Saint Mary’s class ring. The fall leaves were bright and colorful, the sun was shining on my little piece of heaven, and my high school ring was bid ado.
It was when I was meandering down the hallway in my robe, with honey on my face, and blasting Taylor Swift on my iPhone; saying “Hi” to all my friends.
It was when my best fellow Belle and I flew across the pond to visit our other abroad Belles for spring break. Simply because we missed them.
It was when I spent ten days this summer studying in Greece with some Belles I didn’t really know…and was crying by the end of the trip.
It’s when I say I’m going to fill up my water bottle, and end up not returning to my room for half an hour because I ran into some favorite Belles on my not-so-adventurous journey.
It’s when I wake up at 8:57 and make it to class at 9:01. Only at Saint Mary’s.
It’s a magical walk down The Avenue in the snow sipping on Chestnut Praline Lattes with my best Belles.
With four weeks left in the fall semester of my junior year, it’s hard to swallow the fact that I’m no longer “halfway through” with my time at Saint Mary’s. I’m more than halfway through…I’m one semester away from my senior year… But right now, football season is over, Thanksgiving is on the horizon, and it’s only a matter of time before the only thing being played at parties is “All I Want For Christmas Is You”.
After five semesters at this perfect place, I’ve realized that this Thanksgiving I am thankful…
1) For the LeMans chapel being right down the hallway. It’s like my own cathedral forty-five seconds away.
2) For the wonderful parents who make it possible for me to attend my dream school.
3) For the connection with Notre Dame and a stadium student section that loves Saint Mary’s girls just as much as President Mooney does.
4) For the fact that I go to a school where it actually isn’t just all about the weekends. Balance is real, but we still have our fun; all of us having had our fair shares of thanking God for trustworthy cab drivers and watchful friends.
5) For my major classes and professors who know my name, know my work, and care enough to always help me further pursue opportunities to better my career.
Happy Thanksgiving, Belles!
Photos provided by the author
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