I graduated school in three days. It's a big change, a huge change really. I'm leaving home and going off to college in August. I'll be three hours away from home. For the first time really, I'll be away. On my own, making all my own choices. It's really a great feeling. But it's also really a terrifying one.

But then again, change like this has happened before. Tenth grade I left the school I had been in for over 9 years. I went to a new school, not a tiny private Christian one like the one I had been at, but a much larger public school. I had a single friend when I walked in that door. And today, I have much much more than that single friend.

I met three boys, one that I will freely admit has changed my life forever. He taught me a lot about myself. About staying up late. About coffee and Diet Mountain Dew. He taught me about humanity. About the solace of the midnight hour. About writing. About music. About passion. About love. About lust. About life. He changed my life. I just wish our romance had ended a bit differently, on a better note rather. And I wish I would have treated him better. As our friendship has been quite rocky.

The other boy was a kiss and tell. He taught me a lot too. About friendship and forgiveness. About people and their past. About hidden tendencies. And how no matter what sisters matter more than boys.

Then there's the other boy. The boy that I've been with now for over a year. The one who's teaching me about myself and about well, everything.

Each of these boys has had a huge impact on my life. I wouldn't trade any of them or the experiences that I've had with them for anything. They each have a place in my heart forever. They all have taught me though, that it's the girl friends in your life that mean something irrevocably important. Boys come and go, even though the girls do too.

High school has been an experience. One that has been so interesting. I have overcome so many things. I have learned so much both academically and relating to life. I have also made many mistakes. Some that I am glad I made, because I have learned from them. Others that I wish I hadn't made, because I know they weren't the right thing to do now. But each situation has taught me something and maybe, that makes up for something.

I know these past three years I have changed. I have changed a great deal. But then again, we all have. That's what three years time does. We have all grown into young adults ready to spread our wings and fly. We have all changed our values and our goals a bit at some point in time. But we have all become the people that we are today. That's what three years have done for us. For me, these three years have changed my life. And I'm glad. The people that I have grown close to at any point in time I value a great deal whether we are still friends or not. Because they each had a purpose in my life that they have fulfilled wonderfully and perfectly.

I'm choosing Monday afternoon when I walk out of that Coliseum to leave this experience with no hard feelings. To any of my classmates. I realize that we have all made mistakes, I know I have surely made my fair share. I know that I still have a great deal to learn. I wish each and everyone one of you the absolute best in life. And I offer my apologies to the many things that I have done wrong these few years. I love you guys and I will treasure our memories together. May you find the best in life.


Lauren