Such memories can be remembered (everyone knows this) even from an earlier age, even from the age of two, but they only emerge throughout one’s life as specks of light, as it were, against the darkness, as a corner torn from a huge picture, which has all faded and disappeared except for that little corner.

- Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov

Memories are one of my favorite things, I think, as well as reliving them with the people you made them with. I have spent almost every New Years Eve since I can remember with about 9 of my closest friends. Yes, I said 9. Most of us met in elementary school, a couple came along in middle school, and one or two in high school, but whether we have known each other for 12 years or 4, we are all just as close. 

I have realized ever since I left for college how blessed I really am to have a group of friends that really know me and understand me for who I am. The same friends with whom I have had some of the most fun times and made some of the best memories with, have also witnessed my dumbest decisions, stumbled upon my deepest secrets, and still loved me the same. Second to that of my Savior Jesus Christ, these people are the best example I have seen of unconditional love. We have been through so much together, some of which has been really hard, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. 

I was reminded of the never ending support I have with this group of friends as we went around in a circle and shared our goals for 2011. The goals ranged from wanting to pray more to getting more tattoos to studying abroad, but with each goal everyone clapped and cheered. We are all at such different places in our lives with two in the group getting married (to each other!), one about to graduate early and maybe move to London to go to a prestigious hair school, one coaching our high schools basketball team, and a couple that are going to be in school for a loooong time. We are spread out from Alabama to Virginia, but the miles between us have nothing on the years we have spent growing together. No matter how long it’s been since we have seen each other or talked, it’s like no time has passed at all when we finally get together. Trust me, in the span of 12 years people change a lot, but thankfully our love for each other hasn’t. These memories have definitely served as “specks of light against the darkness” whenever I am feeling down, and I am not sad that some of these memories are now only a “corner torn from a huge picture, which has all faded and disappeared except for that little corner” because even if all we can remember from the past years are little “corners”, I know that those little corners will help to make up the bigger picture of my life as I continue to remember those memories and make more with the people I love. Last night will definitely be added to the memories we keep on reliving. Thanks for making my life a little brighter class of 2009 (and the two of you from 2008). I don’t know where I’d be without you.