Hi. For the last time. Thank you to the amazing girls I have met this year in my get-to-know-a-stranger experiment. There is one more “date” that I have to describe before I go. I have found my best friend, my rock, my inspiration, my soul mate.

Her name is STA.

I remember nervously getting ready for my date, slipping on my tartan plaid for the first time as a freshman. I hadn’t realized yet that she doesn’t judge appearances.

I saw the seniors, who had already bonded so closely with STA, and wondered if I could ever make it there.

Well, here I am. I put on my plaid one final time last week (with a little less concern with how I looked) and felt so strongly how much I have changed over the past four years, thanks to STA. I had no idea how much I would come to know and love her, but this is what I have found that makes her perfect:

She is full of confidence. She is full of talent, compassion, independence and knowledge that makes this confidence well-earned. I feel more confident just knowing that I have walked her hallways.

She challenges everyone. In all of my disagreements with STA, she always encouraged me to speak my mind, but she usually ended up changing it. And for this, I am so grateful.

She respects everyone. Instead of responding to differences with, “that’s stupid,” or wrong, or weird, she meets every new idea with “Isn’t that interesting?”

She is always up for a good time. My friend STA taught me that making memories is just as important as making grades. And what memories I’ve made…

She is loud, she is quiet, she is funny, she is serious, she is smart, she isn’t, she smiles, she cries, she overwhelms, she comforts, she listens, she lectures, she loves. STA is whatever I need her to be, and this is why I love her.

I want to thank you, STA. I know you’re technically only 3 brick buildings and a beautiful quad, but to me, you are the best friend a girl could ask for.

Mom and Dad, thank you for introducing me to the best four years of my life. It is the greatest gift I will ever receive.

To every girl at STA, thank you for making her what she is.

Although our friendship must end, I will never forget her. I will pack up everything she has taught me and bring it wherever I go in this life of mine.

St. Teresa’s Academy, it was nice to meet you.