happening. Not to sound cliche, but it really seems like yesterday that I was marching around the football field with my flute and secretly stalking my high school band teacher or was packing up all my belongings and hitting the road for my first year of college in Boston. But somehow, I made it, and I can honestly say it’s been the quickest few years of my life. I don’t know how it all happened, but with only three years of college under my belt, I’m walking away with a degree in journalism.

When it comes to utilizing this tiny 400+ word space (see above, thanks Brett) to sum up my college career, all I’m really left wanting to say are sappy thank you’s to the people who’ve been there with me through the whole stressful, annoying and chaotic length of the way. Because the truth is, it’s been just as much of a whirlwind for me as it has been for my family—and I know I probably don’t say that enough.

Mom: I’ve clearly gained my over-emotional side from you, because as I’m writing this I’m already starting to cry. I don’t know where I’d be if it wasn’t for our mid-afternoon phone calls every day. That took a lot of patience on your part to listen to me incessantly complain about my endless boyfriend woes and my many concerns over self-diagnosed diseases. Even though we’re hundreds of miles apart, you’ve always let me know that you’d drive up to Chicago in a heartbeat, crack open a bottle of wine and listen to me vent if ever need be. Now that it’s all over, I think it’s time to have a Michelob Ultra (or 10) and enjoy what’s next.

Dad: Let’s face it, if it wasn’t for you I would have lost my mind long ago. During my late-night phone calls of frantic screaming and ranting, you kept me level-headed by somehow remaining calm throughout the whole thing. From broken laptops, malfunctioning iPods and job-finding dilemmas, somehow you managed to fix it all over the phone. When I look at everything you’ve accomplished just this past year, I can’t help but hope that I can someday be the person that you are today. I can’t wait to visit you guys in Belgium.

Katelyn: It sounds corny as all hell, but all the way back to the days of us sharing a room together, fighting over clothes and listening to Celine Dion with our Fox Mulder/Elvis Barbie dolls, you’ve always been a best friend to me. I don’t think anyone understands me quite the way you do. These past weeks have been a little rough for us (Toopie/Fig Newton) and those late-night phone calls meant the world to me.

Patrick: You were the one to introduce me to Miller High Life, and for that I am eternally grateful. You seem to always have the best advice, whatever the issue, and I don’t think I could have gotten through these past three years without it.

Frankie: Yes, my dog. I can’t explain how much it means to have him greet me at the door whenever I come home.