It’s my last week of college. I didn’t have finals, and my last assignment was due the last day of classes. I’m finishing college by relaxing, going to collegiate national championships with the best triathlon team in the country, and I just know this is the end of something special. So I decided I wanted my last HC article to be a farewell and a thank you to everyone who contributed to making these past four years what they were: unforgettable.
First, to family. My parents and sisters have been behind me from day one. As soon as I decided to go to Michigan, my family was right there supporting me every step of the way. From my first call to my parents that I was going to fail out of Michigan after my first Calc 1 exam to that first A, they have been there for every high and low that I experienced academically, ensuring me that I could do anything if I set my mind to it. From the countless trips down to Michigan to visit, to the dozens and dozens of cookies delivered (I may have eaten too many of those), to every tailgate during football season, my family was an instrumental part of my education and I will forever be grateful for the role they played in making sure I was as well set up as I possibly could have been.
Second, to my fraternity brothers. Ever since second semester freshman year when I joined Beta Theta Pi, I knew that I would meet my best friends here. God knows there were times where I wanted to leave it all behind, but I’m happy I stuck through it. I consider myself lucky to have met some of you and I wouldn’t trade the friendships I have with you for anything. Even though we don’t have the traditional fraternal bonds that most people think of, I believe ours will last well beyond our college years and I can’t wait to see what all of you will accomplish in the future.
Third, to my teaM. Even though I only joined the triathlon team my senior year, I feel like I’ve been a part of this amazing group for years. I was a little nervous joining a team my senior year since I knew that everyone my age on the team would already have established friendships and I didn’t know how well I would be received. But I couldn’t have found a better group of people to join. With probably some of the most supportive/welcoming people I’ve ever met, this team has meant so much to me and I know that I’ll stay in touch with my teammates and will always cherish all the of the great memories we’ve had. Whether it was basically drowning in the pool with Ryan, post practice hot tub talks, bonfires in the fall, tailgates during football season, group bike rides, to what will probably be one of my favorite weekends in my college career at nationals, I will never forget all the laughs and good times that I’ve had with you all.
Fourth, to my friends. There are too many of you to thank individually, but I wanted to collectively thank each and every one of you. I have been lucky to have met some truly amazing people in my time at Michigan. You all inspire me to be a better person and have contributed to making my time at Michigan all the more fantastic. Every hello in the diag helps brighten up my day and contributed to the warm and happy feels I get when I think of this place. My college experience would never have been this happy without all of you and so if I don’t get a chance to thank you individually, I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Finally, to my girlfriend and future medcat Amanda. We’ve been dating for over a year now and I can’t even count how many times people have asked me how you put up with me… and yeah it’s a good question so if you’re reading this, don’t think about that one too hard please! We met freshmen year at Mojo and even though it took us a while to find each other, I couldn’t be happier. You are an amazingly talented, brilliant, beautiful person, and I couldn’t be more excited to move to the next stage of my life with you. The fact that we get to go to school together again is just a wonder to me, and I am thankful every day for it. The past year we’ve helped each other through a lot and having you to help guide me through the insanity that is figuring out my future plans has made it all so much easier. From our first few nervous dates, to bike rides, to our countless runs, to spring break, and finally to our future together; I couldn’t have found anyone better to spend my time with.
I’ll always look back on my time here and be happy with what happened. So for today goodbye, for tomorrow good luck, and forever Go Blue!