Alright, it's a little bit sentimental.

You know, of impossible things that could never happen, me being a little sad at the end of high school, would have been right at the top of the list. I'd have been dead wrong wouldn't I?

It would appear that I would have been. Yes, I know, it's only 180 days, or 183, if you're technical, but you know what, it's really a year. And oh, what a year. I mean, do you ever look at the next couple of months and think, what will have happened by then? I guarantee I would not have predicted a lot, but some things I probably could have.

From a first job, to the Lily Chronicles, to an unnecessarily drama-filled first semester, to an end of a relationship I could have foreseen, to discovering gibberellin, to an amazing Senior Prom, to the sweetest person I know, I never really realized what had occurred. And looking back, it really got better as it went. I guess that's how most things occur. I mean, it's like a good movie. It may start off slow, with character introductions and such. But near the conclusion, as it is often said of romance, people only get together right at the very end. But is this integral part of our present, high school, such an end, or the beginning? For many in the school, this is the end; their peak. But for those who have worked, for those who have perservered, for those with a sense of reality, this is the beginning of the rest of our lives.

And yet, we cannot look to the future so quickly. Why deny what we want now? Is it so bad to live in the present, living for every day? This is the free summer. This is our last chance to be kids; to be immature; to be, for lack of a better word, high schoolers. The responsibilities only multiply from here on out. We are forced to grow up, to become the adult we were born to be. But right now, this is our summer.

Over the year, I have noticed one major aspect of life. I have realized who I really am. I have values. I know where I stand, what my possibilities are, and in what I believe. I know not to deny what I know is right in my heart. I know that not everyone is going to like me, but not everyone hates me. I know that there is someone out there exactly like me. I know the truth hurts, but only if you can't accept it. I know that .03 can often mean death by Lily. I know that the present is what matters; I can't control anything else. And I know that there is a gay, sweet person whom I absolutely adore; and whatever happens, happens.

So when I look back, after all that I have come across, the question of regret always exists. But I cannot regret anything. I made the choices. I made the sacrifices. I was blind to some things, but opened my eyes to others. I'm sorry for only a few rash, half-thought decisions. But the others, I know they were right. And I must say, I had the best time of my life with those I call friends and those I consider even closer than that. I'm all yours.

May I just say thanks. To anyone who deserves it...