Friday, May 6.

Dear Pittsburg State,

I cannot believe that we have to say goodbye on Friday. I have tears in my eyes just thinking about it.

What do you say to your best friend when you have to part ways? Should you simply  remember that one special moment that stood out above all the rest?

Or do you try to reminisce on every last detail over the years?

Our journey together began on Friday, May 6, 2011, and it is ending this week, on Friday May 6, 2016, as I will walk across the graduation stage.

Perhaps we should reminisce on our journey together, our story.

I had first heard about you in December of 2010. It was the first time I heard your name. Dr. Fuchs, Director of the Honors College, spoke so highly of you and you sounded absolutely wonderful.

You were on my mind for several months.

May 6, 2011. I remember the first day we met, like it was just yesterday.

It was a beautiful day, and my mom and I ventured from Kansas City to meet you. I was not sure what to expect, I was nervous. I had never  met a college before.

I  remember seeing you. The tulips were in bloom, the grass was green, and you were just so beautiful.

We spent the day together, and it was wonderful. I met with Communications professors (only to switch over to the Graphics side), and I met with the man who told me all about you, Dr. Fuchs.

Unfortunately we could only spend a few hours of the day together. But I am so grateful that we did.

Remember this photo we took together? I still have that t-shirt.

As I walked away, I told my mom how much I loved you, how you felt like home. She questioned it, as we had only known each other for a few hours. But I never doubted it. You were always the one.

I went and met other colleges that summer. But they were not as nice as you. I did not feel as welcome with them as I had with you.

No one was as good as you. No one.

So I sent you a request. I wanted so badly to be where you were.

And you accepted me. And then you accepted me again with a music scholarship. And you accepted me again into the Honors College.

I cried. I was so happy. All I wanted was to be where you were, and my dream came true. It was beautiful.

 

In August of 2012, I moved to be near you. I lived in Dellinger Hall. You introduced me to the greatest RA ever known, and you introduced me to other people. People who became our best friends.

We joined the marching band. Man was that a blast! We got so sunburnt at band camp, but it was so much fun. I am glad we stuck with it for all four years. We made some pretty great friends because of it.

Do you remember that time we went to Colorado for spring break and I fell down the mountain? That was pretty funny. Or the time thought it would be a good idea to take a class on the fourth floor of Russ Hall?

Remember when I switched my major? I had no idea what to do, but you helped me, every step of the way.

As the years have passed you have provided me with opportunities I could only dream of.

You honored my family as the Honorary Family of 2013 at family day. It was beautiful. They felt so special and loved. I am so grateful for that.

Together we were Advancement Ambassadors and in Crimson Club. We met with alumni, donors, PSU Administration, and community members. We spent hours talking about how remarkable you were. We showed the world (or at least Southeast Kansas) your beauty and sheer awesomeness.

We studied abroad together in Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Austria. Remember how beautiful it was? And the time I almost lost my passport, but Mr. Patterson found it? What an experience it was, to spend time together learning and embracing new cultures.

You helped me find an internship. A bunch of people I worked with were friends with you. They loved you too. It was such a great experience, and I could not have done it without you.

Remember the anxiety we had as I began my senior year? I was more nervous than you were, probably because you already knew that we were going to be okay. I could not imagine the thought of leaving you, and leaving our friends. But I knew that you would take care of them, you always do.

Homecoming. Wow, you really surprised me with that one this year. Who knew our friends would nominate me for Homecoming queen, and then vote for me? I still cannot believe they called my name for 2nd Queen’s Attendant. How did you do that? It was a whirlwind of a weekend, but I am glad we got to spend it together.

Do you remember when we went to Chicago with the Honors College executive team? We walked so many miles that first day. I had so many blisters on my feet. You told me to wear different shoes, but naturally I did not listen.

Christmas break came and went, and it finally hit me. We were on our last semester together. It was almost over. “Let’s make the best of this,” you assured me. And so we did.

Together we tackled my senior project and a final departmental honors project. We spent time with friends, and enjoyed our last memories together.

And here we are today, finals week. It really is almost over.

Reminiscing on all these memories together has me in tears. I am not ready to say goodbye to you, not even ready to say “see you later.”

I just want time to stand still, so we can spend just a few more minutes together. But time is rushing by, and on Friday, May 6, 2016, I’ll walk across the stage, and ring the bell. And just like that, the first chapter of our journey will be over.

It is pretty amazing that our journey centers around May 6th. On this day in 2011, as a junior in high school, I desperately knew that I wanted you. I wanted to be here, but I did not know if it was possible. I could not imagine that five years later, to the day, that I would be walking across the graduation stage with you.

So what do you say to your best friend when you have to part ways?

You tell them this:

You changed me. You shaped me into the individual I am today and I am better because of you.

I wish this chapter of our journey did not have to end so soon. But I know that this is not goodbye. We will see each other again. And although we do not know when that will be, I know that we will be near in each other’s hearts.

I love you, Pittsburg State. And I could not have made it this far without you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

It has been a remarkable journey, and I cannot wait until we start our next chapter together.

Love forever and always,

Abbey

 

OAGAAG // Once a gorilla, always a gorilla.