My emotions always lead me to one of two things; crying or writing. Tonight they’ve lead me to both, and I have Melissa’s note to thank for the tears. It’s the night before my college graduation; a day that four years ago seemed so far away that it was almost unreachable. Now it’s less than 24 hours away and I can’t stop myself from going back to each and every memory that has allowed me to become the person I am, and will be tomorrow when I put on that smurf blue cap and gown.
First and foremost I have my parents to thank for supporting every decision I have made in the last four years and for never giving up a shred of hope in me. I know I might not have done everything right, and I definitely made mistakes (some smaller than others) but knowing that you were always there to help me made a world of difference. For that I owe you both so much, and I cannot express the love I hold for you.
Directly below my parents are the people that stuck by me through thick and thin, day in and day out, good days and bad days, rain or shine. To my friends I owe you all a piece of my heart which, believe me, you already have. You have all made a difference in one way or another and I love you all so much.
To Melissa: I hope you know how important you are to me, because without you I would be up shits creek without a paddle screaming for help. I only wish we could have met sooner in our time at SHU, but I know that coming into each other’s lives at dance practice sophomore year was the way God intended it to be. Thank you Harry Potter for bringing me to my best friend, because no other person would EVER be allowed to dutifully vacuum her bedroom while I lied face down on the bed, hung over as all hell, bitching about men. Nor would any other person live to tell the story of almost killing me on the garden state parkway in a matter of an hour to buy an iphone. I was saying novenas in the back of your car while you held your chest and cursed the Nordstrom’s Café tuna fish while doing 95 on the off ramp. I guess the best way for me to sum this up would be “awe, you’re such a good friend,” but in truth you are so much more than a good friend, you are truly my best friend and sister and I love you so much. We’ve been through the wringer, and for that short time I never thought of you as anything than less than my best. I love you, thank you for being who you are and being a part of my life. We’re in this till the end, I promise. <3
To Jenna: My god where the hell am I supposed to start?! You are my oldest friend, and you are my best friend and sister. When I say you and I have been through and seen it all, I mean it from the center of my soul; you are my other half. The fact that we’ve made it from the age of 17 ringing up spools of yarn at AC Moore on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings is a testament to our dedication and friendship…it’s been five years and every Halloween I stop and thank God for letting you and I meet and become as inseparable as we’ve become. Thank you for putting up with me when I was intolerable to most people, for driving me to Howell (which I swear will never happen again. EVER.) and for becoming a part of my family. Only a select few people are allowed to sleep on my couch until the early hours of the morning without my parents kicking them out =]. I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have someone I could call and immediately start complaining to, someone to dance like a fool with in Icebox, and I’m especially lucky to have a friend that for a year drove between Rhode Island and SHU and then Long Branch and SHU almost every weekend just to hang out. You’re one of a kind and I love you so much. This is forever. <3
Gabby: My name twin, roommate…JUST DANCE, IT’LL BE OKAY! I’m laughing just typing that, and I know you’ll laugh when you read it. Good lord, how many late night walks did we make to the rugby house our sophomore year, or breakfast trips to the diner for cheese fries the next morning? I’ll never forget that, or our road trips, or lying awake in our room at 2 in the morning listening to our suitemates scream and cry because someone broke their heart. Part of me wishes I could go back and bang on our bathroom door for good measure, just so I can say I did it. You’re a part of my life that has been for the better and I couldn’t have done some of the stuff I did without you. Love you girl!
Danielle: Ohhh Danielle how I adore you with every fiber of my being! You’re one of two reasons I made it through sophomore year without tearing someone’s head off or screaming so loud someone living in AQ would hear it. I love you so much, and even though we lost touch over the last year or so, you’re always in my heart and the memories we’ve made will be forever. RED CARD!! =]
Matt: You hoe! I mean that with love just so you know. Thank you for being that constant comic relief, but more importantly thank you for helping me pass Italian and for begging Profesoressa Ghirardelli to give me extra credit. She always did like you better than me. It was always a good feeling to know I could find you in one of three places: in the theatre in the round, on a bench outside Fahy smoking or…under X sitting on the bench that had you ass permanently indented in the seat…smoking of course. You became a big part of my life very, very fast and I can’t picture college without you; I’m so happy we met and that we made so many memories. You’re the only person I know that eats and eats and then is still hungry, but that’s the Italian in you. When I see you at your grad party I’ll be sure to have a big box of 7 LAYER COOKIES, none of that 9 layer or tri colore crap! Thank you for being in the backseat of Melissa’s car when we almost died…it’s your fault we were in there to begin with. When you get famous and they give you an Academy Award or a TONY make sure you thank all the little people, and the people who manufacture parliaments =p. Love you hoochie!
Marco: You are more important to me than you know, and are like a brother to me. I love you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for being there for me while I healed and for helping me to understand that everything happens for a reason. I’m so glad I met you, and it was fate that I was sitting behind you at Laramie Project that night in 09. You’ve slept on my couch, cooked in my kitchen, smoked on my porch, and drank my liquor…I love you and every screwed up memory that we have. =]
Jim, Steve, Becky & Samson (The Hooligans): My god you guys popped into my life at the most amazing time, and we’ve had some of the most amazing times! There was definitely a week where we did nothing but drink and sit under X talking about the book we’re going to write, and trust me, I will write that book. There’ve been so many good nights “Under The Hood” and it could take me days to get through all of them…but I’ll leave you with this…DING. I love you guys so much, thank you for becoming part of my life, and a family that I wouldn’t have found anywhere else.
Alex: Oh my soul mate...it all started with Bruce Springsteen! You have become one of the best parts of my life, and I love you from the bottom of my heart. We've been through a lot in a short amount of time, and it's only made us that much closer. I don't know how I would have survived 79 without you. I knew when you came up to my room in Guam the night I moved in and gave me a hot pink glittery shot glass that we'd get along perfectly. Little did I know that our alcoholism would bring us even closer. Thank you for letting me snuggle with you in the morning, eat cookies in you bed, be a shoulder to cry on when things got rough, and staggering drunkenly through NYC after a night of drinking and adventures. I love you, and you'll always be my best friend. I'M THE HOLIDAY ARMADILLO! <3
Erika, Laura, Erica, Jewelee, Alyssa & Megan (My Dance Team Girls): For four years we’ve spend almost every day of the week together, and that creates a bond that is not easily broken. We’ve seen each other grow from freshman at 18-19 years old to 21-22 year old adults who are ready to take on whatever life throws at us. We’ve seen hard times, and we’ve seen laughter and smiles, and we’ve faced it all together. Thank you for being such a monumental part of my life, I will never forget the four years that we spent together, the countless hours spent practicing, setting up for events, and performing. We’ve done a lot of good together and I know that when I look back on my years at SHU I will remember everything we’ve done and smile. I love you all. <3
To think I started reminiscing this afternoon when I found a stack of mix CD’s from high school, I didn’t think it would lead me to this. Actually, it didn’t lead me to this, Melissa led me to this…way to go Liss, you have let my emotions go wild and now look what happened, 2.5 pages single spaced! Ah! I’m far from the person I was when I entered SHU four years ago, and far from the girl I was when I graduated SJV in 2007. I’ve grown up, learned that the world isn’t perfect, and that giving nothing less than my best isn’t acceptable. I’ve lost people along the way, and I know that Aunt Rita, Aunt Kitty & most importantly my Gma are watching over me. I hope you’re all smiling and I hope I’ve made you proud. I wish more than anything that you could see this day, but you have the best view out of anyone because you’re watching from heaven.
To all my friends, here’s to the next four years and the trouble we may cause, rules we may break and memories we will create. I love you all from the bottom of my heart. <3
First and foremost I have my parents to thank for supporting every decision I have made in the last four years and for never giving up a shred of hope in me. I know I might not have done everything right, and I definitely made mistakes (some smaller than others) but knowing that you were always there to help me made a world of difference. For that I owe you both so much, and I cannot express the love I hold for you.
Directly below my parents are the people that stuck by me through thick and thin, day in and day out, good days and bad days, rain or shine. To my friends I owe you all a piece of my heart which, believe me, you already have. You have all made a difference in one way or another and I love you all so much.
To Melissa: I hope you know how important you are to me, because without you I would be up shits creek without a paddle screaming for help. I only wish we could have met sooner in our time at SHU, but I know that coming into each other’s lives at dance practice sophomore year was the way God intended it to be. Thank you Harry Potter for bringing me to my best friend, because no other person would EVER be allowed to dutifully vacuum her bedroom while I lied face down on the bed, hung over as all hell, bitching about men. Nor would any other person live to tell the story of almost killing me on the garden state parkway in a matter of an hour to buy an iphone. I was saying novenas in the back of your car while you held your chest and cursed the Nordstrom’s Café tuna fish while doing 95 on the off ramp. I guess the best way for me to sum this up would be “awe, you’re such a good friend,” but in truth you are so much more than a good friend, you are truly my best friend and sister and I love you so much. We’ve been through the wringer, and for that short time I never thought of you as anything than less than my best. I love you, thank you for being who you are and being a part of my life. We’re in this till the end, I promise. <3
To Jenna: My god where the hell am I supposed to start?! You are my oldest friend, and you are my best friend and sister. When I say you and I have been through and seen it all, I mean it from the center of my soul; you are my other half. The fact that we’ve made it from the age of 17 ringing up spools of yarn at AC Moore on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings is a testament to our dedication and friendship…it’s been five years and every Halloween I stop and thank God for letting you and I meet and become as inseparable as we’ve become. Thank you for putting up with me when I was intolerable to most people, for driving me to Howell (which I swear will never happen again. EVER.) and for becoming a part of my family. Only a select few people are allowed to sleep on my couch until the early hours of the morning without my parents kicking them out =]. I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have someone I could call and immediately start complaining to, someone to dance like a fool with in Icebox, and I’m especially lucky to have a friend that for a year drove between Rhode Island and SHU and then Long Branch and SHU almost every weekend just to hang out. You’re one of a kind and I love you so much. This is forever. <3
Gabby: My name twin, roommate…JUST DANCE, IT’LL BE OKAY! I’m laughing just typing that, and I know you’ll laugh when you read it. Good lord, how many late night walks did we make to the rugby house our sophomore year, or breakfast trips to the diner for cheese fries the next morning? I’ll never forget that, or our road trips, or lying awake in our room at 2 in the morning listening to our suitemates scream and cry because someone broke their heart. Part of me wishes I could go back and bang on our bathroom door for good measure, just so I can say I did it. You’re a part of my life that has been for the better and I couldn’t have done some of the stuff I did without you. Love you girl!
Danielle: Ohhh Danielle how I adore you with every fiber of my being! You’re one of two reasons I made it through sophomore year without tearing someone’s head off or screaming so loud someone living in AQ would hear it. I love you so much, and even though we lost touch over the last year or so, you’re always in my heart and the memories we’ve made will be forever. RED CARD!! =]
Matt: You hoe! I mean that with love just so you know. Thank you for being that constant comic relief, but more importantly thank you for helping me pass Italian and for begging Profesoressa Ghirardelli to give me extra credit. She always did like you better than me. It was always a good feeling to know I could find you in one of three places: in the theatre in the round, on a bench outside Fahy smoking or…under X sitting on the bench that had you ass permanently indented in the seat…smoking of course. You became a big part of my life very, very fast and I can’t picture college without you; I’m so happy we met and that we made so many memories. You’re the only person I know that eats and eats and then is still hungry, but that’s the Italian in you. When I see you at your grad party I’ll be sure to have a big box of 7 LAYER COOKIES, none of that 9 layer or tri colore crap! Thank you for being in the backseat of Melissa’s car when we almost died…it’s your fault we were in there to begin with. When you get famous and they give you an Academy Award or a TONY make sure you thank all the little people, and the people who manufacture parliaments =p. Love you hoochie!
Marco: You are more important to me than you know, and are like a brother to me. I love you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for being there for me while I healed and for helping me to understand that everything happens for a reason. I’m so glad I met you, and it was fate that I was sitting behind you at Laramie Project that night in 09. You’ve slept on my couch, cooked in my kitchen, smoked on my porch, and drank my liquor…I love you and every screwed up memory that we have. =]
Jim, Steve, Becky & Samson (The Hooligans): My god you guys popped into my life at the most amazing time, and we’ve had some of the most amazing times! There was definitely a week where we did nothing but drink and sit under X talking about the book we’re going to write, and trust me, I will write that book. There’ve been so many good nights “Under The Hood” and it could take me days to get through all of them…but I’ll leave you with this…DING. I love you guys so much, thank you for becoming part of my life, and a family that I wouldn’t have found anywhere else.
Alex: Oh my soul mate...it all started with Bruce Springsteen! You have become one of the best parts of my life, and I love you from the bottom of my heart. We've been through a lot in a short amount of time, and it's only made us that much closer. I don't know how I would have survived 79 without you. I knew when you came up to my room in Guam the night I moved in and gave me a hot pink glittery shot glass that we'd get along perfectly. Little did I know that our alcoholism would bring us even closer. Thank you for letting me snuggle with you in the morning, eat cookies in you bed, be a shoulder to cry on when things got rough, and staggering drunkenly through NYC after a night of drinking and adventures. I love you, and you'll always be my best friend. I'M THE HOLIDAY ARMADILLO! <3
Erika, Laura, Erica, Jewelee, Alyssa & Megan (My Dance Team Girls): For four years we’ve spend almost every day of the week together, and that creates a bond that is not easily broken. We’ve seen each other grow from freshman at 18-19 years old to 21-22 year old adults who are ready to take on whatever life throws at us. We’ve seen hard times, and we’ve seen laughter and smiles, and we’ve faced it all together. Thank you for being such a monumental part of my life, I will never forget the four years that we spent together, the countless hours spent practicing, setting up for events, and performing. We’ve done a lot of good together and I know that when I look back on my years at SHU I will remember everything we’ve done and smile. I love you all. <3
To think I started reminiscing this afternoon when I found a stack of mix CD’s from high school, I didn’t think it would lead me to this. Actually, it didn’t lead me to this, Melissa led me to this…way to go Liss, you have let my emotions go wild and now look what happened, 2.5 pages single spaced! Ah! I’m far from the person I was when I entered SHU four years ago, and far from the girl I was when I graduated SJV in 2007. I’ve grown up, learned that the world isn’t perfect, and that giving nothing less than my best isn’t acceptable. I’ve lost people along the way, and I know that Aunt Rita, Aunt Kitty & most importantly my Gma are watching over me. I hope you’re all smiling and I hope I’ve made you proud. I wish more than anything that you could see this day, but you have the best view out of anyone because you’re watching from heaven.
To all my friends, here’s to the next four years and the trouble we may cause, rules we may break and memories we will create. I love you all from the bottom of my heart. <3
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