hello goodbye

so here we are now.
pained and lucky we survived it all.
-amel larrieux

i made it.
this summer was the best and worst summer ever.
all wrapped up in a 2 and 1/2 month package.
i am leaving in about 30 minutes for athens...
leaving atlanta, my family, and my best friends behind.
however, i will carry the memories in my heart forever.
so many memories to look back on from this summer, this year..the past 17 years.
today i am leaving my home I have lived in all my life.
i do not plan on returning.
of course i will come back on holidays and breaks,
but i do not have the intent to ever live here again.
after college i plan on getting a job, my own place, and starting a life on my own.
of course i am in no rush.
i plan on enjoying every moment of college and the freedom without real responsibilities.

i would like to take this time to say thank you to four people who helped me make it through this chaotic summer.
thank you tarrance.
you have been with me every step of the way this summer.
you brought me out of my shell while still allowing me to hold onto my genuine innocence.
(somewhat :])
you definitely introduced me to things I thought i would never do.
my favorite memories...
staring at the stars, talking, chilling, GUITAR HERO...all the great moments in the truck.
memories i will never forget.
you have been one of the greatest influences on my life and you are now in my mind, apart of the family.
thank you for being such a great friend.
ily tarantae :)

id also like to thank britni.
although she can be crazy at times,
she is definitely one of the FEW females in my life that i consider to be a real friend.
whenever i needed her, i knew she was one call away.
and she knows i am there for her as real.
im glad to have someone so honest and caring in my life.
ily BEEEEE. :)

kelsey,
my best friend since the 7th grade although i have known her since the 5th.
theres not much to say about her...
i cant put her amazingness into words.
my soon-to-be roommate :)
i really dont think i could have asked for a better best friend.
i am faithful in our ability to remain friends even though we are living together.
(crossing my fingers and toes haha)
but i think we will make it.
i love this girl.

last but not least...ronnie.
its strange...me wanting to thank you.
you were the cause of so many tears this summer.
so many lonely nights.
so many days full of heartache.
you are definitely a screw up sometimes when it comes to me.
BUT...i know that you care.
you love me and you show it more times than you hurt me.
if i look back at the course of our relationship, we had more happy times than sad.
i will definitely admit that i love you.
it sucks that we broke up...
but i know it was the best thing.
the distance between us would have only made things harder and you have to understand that i have to do this for me.
i love you though, with all my heart.
forever and always bay.

sigh...well time to load up the car.
im ready to leave all the pain this summer threw at me behind.
as i move to athens i hope to meet new people and to experience new things...
but i dont want to be a new me.
i hope to inspire people and to be the shoulder or ear they need.
ive always been the therapist/motherly role in my group of friends. :)
its one i enjoy.

tarrance, you once said that this fall you will find out who really wants to be apart of your life.
i dont think there is a better way to describe what i also hope to find out.
i will find out what friends are really friends...
and who will be another face in the yearbook.
im looking forward to see who sticks around.
i know it will be few.
and thats ok.
as long as i have the ones who matter most by my side.
well, im off.

goodbye atlanta.
hello athens.