I can’t believe I am already writing this. I’m graduating in 10 days. That’s it. In 10 days, I’ll be going out into the “real world.” Knowing this, I’m feeling a lot of different emotions.

I feel excitement. I feel apprehension. I feel scared. I feel invincible. I feel like I can conquer the world.

But most of all, I feel gratitude. There are so many people who have helped to shape and mold me into the young woman and young professional I am today. And to all of you, I say, “thank you.”

To my mom—thank you for showing me how to be independent and do things for myself. I imagine being a single mother and raising me was pretty challenging, as I can be a handful. But you never gave up, and you taught me the same. Thank you for kicking cancer in the butt last semester so that I could still have a mom. Thank you for never giving up on me and loving me and being one of my biggest fans. And thank you for everything you’ve done so far to make sure Branden and I have the best wedding possible in September.

To our Craig—thank you for loving my mom so much and loving our family like your own. You’ve played a vital role the last several years, and I appreciate so much everything you have done for us and for me. Thank you for being the man who will walk me down the aisle.

To my fiancé, Branden—thank you for loving me so much and pushing me to go the extra mile in everything. Thank you for wanting to spend the rest of your life with me, and thank you for being so proud of me. Thank you for your patience with me during my last few semesters, and thank you for making sure I am still working toward my professional goals. Thank you for being my biggest fan. I’m your biggest fan too, you just didn’t know it.

To Mrs. White, my English teacher and mentor from sixth grade to my senior year of high school—thank you for giving me my love of literature and writing. Thank you for reading books with us that were banned in some schools, for those are the ones that taught me the most about life. Thank you for always being there for me, no matter what I needed.

To my best friend, Megan—thank you for being the best friend I never knew I needed. Your friendship means more to me than you’ll ever know. Thank you for being my maid of honor and my shoulder to lean on. Thank you for not letting anything stop you from reaching your goals. You’ve been one of the amazing women that I look up to so greatly.

To Butler Cain—thank you for everything you’ve taught me about journalism and making sure I have everything I need to be successful. You have been so much more than just a professor, and for that, I thank you.

To my future in-laws—thank you for loving me like one of your own. Thank you for making me feel like part of the family and for supporting me so much the last few years.