Dear Samford

Dear Samford,

You have completely changed my life. You have transformed me and brought me some of the best memories, friends, and moments to last a lifetime. I am eternally grateful.

When I first visited in the summer of my Junior Year of high school, I thought this school was great. I didn’t know just how amazing it could and would be. When I was making my college decision, when I had 90% decided to go to a school close to home, something kept drawing me back to you. Samford was always in the back of mind and whenever I pictured myself at college, all I could think about was me on Samford’s campus.

By the grace of God, when May 1st came around, I had decided on Samford for college, taking a full 180 and completely changing my mind about where to go to college. I was so excited. I was so thrilled. There was something magical and exciting about being the only one from my high school going to Samford, and there was something intriguing about heading to Birmingham, Alabama. Who thought that I would like Alabama? This Florida girl did not think that she would fall in love with this state, with this city.

The summer before my freshman year, I could hardly contain my excitement. First there was orientation where I made some new friends. Then it was time to pack for college. Things were great. I had my roommate locked down, I knew what building I was going to live in, I had declared my major, and I started packing up my things. I didn’t think it could get any better. Oh how I would be surprised.

Move-In day quickly came after the 12 hour car ride that couldn’t be over fast enough. I just wanted to get to Samford already! When I moved in on that Friday morning, it was chaotic. I was trying to move in all of my items and my clothes all while trying not to make any bad impressions on my roommate, whom I had only met once. Once I was all moved in, it was time for my parents to leave. I was beginning my life in college at that moment. Wow. How I wish I could go back to that moment; That moment when I was scared, intimidated, shy, nervous, excited, happy, hopeful, and joyful for this new season of life.

I quickly became friends with my roommate, who I didn’t want to hang out with a lot in the beginning because I didn’t want her to think I was clingy. I became friends with the girls on my hall, I started classes, and then I went through recruitment. I got Chi Omega as my sorority, and then freshman year just picked up speed from then on.

Freshman year second semester is when I made my friends: Spring break 2015. A bunch of Samford girls from all different friend groups and sororities all went to my neighbor’s (in the dorm) house in Seaside. Somehow, the most random of groups, 15 girls, became really close and we all became wonderful friends. We still have the group text to this day.

Then sophomore year flew by with the sophomore slump. Then junior year kicked my butt, and now it’s senior year, almost time to graduate.

Time has literally flown by and it’s hard knowing how it all went by so fast.

All this is to say that Samford has been the best experience and the best season of my life. The friends I have made are the lifelong friendships that I know I will keep forever. The memories I have made are marked as the best moments of my life. The education I’ve received has been extraordinary and a step above the rest.

Who thought that the city of Birmingham would capture my heart? Who thought that the little school, Samford, would become my home, my favorite place, and my resting place? Who thought that I would be so sad to leave?

Samford, you truly have changed my life. There have been some hard times, but the good times weigh out the bad ones.

There have been times when I just wanted to go home, but now I know I’ll be wishing to go back to Samford once I’m gone.

Goodness, I do not want to graduate.

Samford, I love your beautiful trees that change with the seasons, your painted grass that is the root of many jokes, your cute little chipmunks that run wild, the people that flood the campus, and the memories that you’ve provided me that will stay with me forever.

Samford, I will miss the perfectly manicured grass, the caf dates, Ben Brown, Banner Drop, the boy to girl ratio (just kidding I’m not going to miss that AT ALL), and the people most of all.

While I am sad to be graduating, I am happy that I will be right around the corner. I’ll be back, pretending like I’m a college student and trying to reminisce on the good times.

This season has been the best season and the best walk, but it’s almost time to say goodbye. You’ve been the best and I’ve been so blessed. Samford forever and always. For God, For Learning, Forever.

Sweetly, Sally