A THANK YOU

This is for my best friends. The two people who helped me get through the toughest year thus far, the two who talk to me everyday – constantly, the two who spend WAY too much time at my place eating pizza in my dining room. Thank you, I love you, I hope I never have to be without the both of you.

I have a very unique friendship with Sam and Kayla. It’s unique due to our individual relationships with one another in our group.

My relationship with Sam is weird to explain. She’s my soul mate in that friend way. Sometimes I can just look at her and know what she’s thinking. Maybe it’s the fact that we’re both big on reading or that we’re both writers, nonetheless I’m grateful to have her in my life. I can talk to her about social issues, sex, politics, and writing. Sometimes we don't even have to speak, sometimes we just lay in my bed in silence reading poetry or browsing through social media on our phones.

(Halloween 2014)

My friendship with Kayla is completely different, I’d describe our relationship as carefree and reckless. We talk about music, bands, TV shows, and of course, the hot guys in them. It’s a very light, fun relationship. I’m grateful for Kayla’s happy-go-lucky attitude, optimism, and constant need for adventure. I feel like she’s that little sister you can’t help but admire because she’s creative and courageous and so very smart. She’s everything you want to be.

(One of our many “Girls Night In”)                              

Senior year of high school still feels like a bad dream. The whole “Applying to College” process derailed me: SAT’s, applications, essays, rejection letters, acceptance letters, and Financial Aid letters with not enough money for me to even consider the schools. It was so overwhelming and terrifying. I felt like I was walking through the hallways of my high school with boulders on my shoulders. I never would’ve gotten through ANY of it had it not been for Sam and Kayla. Any time I would text them freaking out about something they ALWAYS answered offering words of comfort. Sam and Kayla never made me feel like a burden to them for the way I was feeling, something I will always be grateful for. After months….and months….and MONTHS of stressing myself out (and consequently losing 10 pounds) I finally had a school chosen and a plan in place. After I figured things out senior year became fun and exciting.

(Last High School Play “ How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying”)

(Last High School Play “ How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying”)

(Junior/Senior “Under the Sea” Prom)                  

(Class of 2014 Graduation)

(Class of 2014 Graduation)                     

(Class of 2014 Graduation)

My friends are truly one of a kind, for that I'm eternally grateful. I can't wait for our future and all the crazy antics we'll no doubt get ourselves into.

Written by: Kimberly Santana
Photos by: Kimberly Santana