My love letter to Lexington

If you asked me how I felt about graduation two months ago, I would’ve stopped in my tracks and immediately started crying. If you ask me how I feel about it today, I’ll still cry, but I will have the biggest smile on my face while doing so. If you asked me what I thought about Lexington four years ago, I would’ve told you I was excited to go to an SEC school. When you ask me about it now, I will tell you that Lexington is one of the greatest loves of my life.

With that being said, here is my love letter to Lexington, sealed with my love and stamped with my forever gratitude.

Dear Lexington,

The best four years of my life thus far have been thanks to you. Your bluegrass, delicious food, horse farms, rolling hills, and good company are forever engraved into my head and heart. Within the realm of your city limits and a little bit beyond, I have met the most inspiring and influential people in my life. I have cried numerous tears, laughed until my stomach hurt, and grown so much over the past four years that I’ve known you. You brought me to UK, UK brought me to Alpha Delta Pi, and Alpha Delta Pi brought me further than I could’ve ever imagined. All thanks to you, Lexington, I am continuing to become the woman I said I wanted to grow up to be. Because of you, I met my four absolute best friends.

Chloe Day, a girl who DM’d me on Instagram prior to college beginning, immediately became my best friend. She convinced me to sign up for recruitment, and I truly owe it all to her. She has pulled me out of my comfort zone, challenged me to be my best, and holds me in her arms when I need her the most. I will never forget the memory of us opening our bid day cards, crying as we realized we would forever be intertwined through sisterhood and memories that would last us a lifetime.

Sydney Kuester, the girl who I always thought was way too cool for me. She has this worldly intelligence about her, and I knew I needed her to be in my life. One of my favorite things about being a human is having the opportunity to learn from others and adapt parts of other people into who we are. Sydney, I am so blessed how you have influenced me in becoming who I am today. Everything that is good in this world is wrapped up into one name, Sydney Kuester.

Mallory Brownell, the kindest soul yet most fiery spirit I have ever met. The day I moved into my dorm room, my parents and I were pulled off on the side of S. Limestone to get food, and I saw this girl who I thought was Chloe’s roommate. I rolled down my window to yell her name, laughing about how we were connected to one another, not realizing the extent to which that would be true. I could not live without you, Mallory. Our friendship attests to remaining friends although finding different homes in sororities, you will always be my favorite Delta Delta Delta girl.

Ruth Fields, isn’t it funny that we are about to start a new chapter of our lives together? Never in a million years did I think you randomly moving into Chloe and my college home would lead to a friendship I could not live without. Now moving to Nashville together after graduation, I couldn’t imagine taking on life without you. Lexington brought me to you, and we will never be separated. You are everything I have dreamed of in a friend, I hope you know how much you are adored.

Without you, Lexington, I wouldn’t have experienced all of the incredible things that I have. All of the trips to Michigan, Colorado, Indiana, Texas, and Florida hold the most special place in my heart. The Keeneland adventures, late night drives, sweet treat runs, finding new places to go, and movie nights are my favorite memories. The last three years I have spent inside the walls of our college home have forever shaped who I am, and I can only imagine how hard it is going to be to say goodbye.

Lexington, you will always be my favorite “see you later.” Thank you for giving me something to miss and to look forward to seeing again. Thank you for everything you have done for me, as you have changed my life for the better. I never knew how special a place could be until I met you, everything I am I owe to what you have given me.

All of my love,

Olivia