Two things I have never been good at — change and goodbyes — are both creeping in on me with a sense of impending doom.
“Friendship is less simple. It is long and hard to obtain but when one has it there’s no getting rid of it” - Albert Camus
Each time I heard the warnings that these four years would go fast, I laughed them off. I was told the same thing in high school, and it did not seem to fly by. However, this time was different. It seems like yesterday that I was with two of my dearest friends, Jasmine and Amelia, walking from our freshman dorm and watching the seniors take their photos. We giggled and chatted about how that would be us one day. Now, I am putting on my cap and gown, just as those girls had.
Between my first move in and my last move out, I have been lucky enough to find friends that I will miss endlessly. The only reason I have the opportunity to write this is because of the great friends I made my freshman year at The Observer. Chatting and doing production until four in the morning was reason enough to stay on the paper. Each Sunday afternoon for the rest of my life, I will think back on my time on the editorial board fondly.
It is hard to believe that I will no longer have the option to sit with Reyna until 3 a.m., going over the same delusions that have haunted us for four years. To answer the question you are undeniably asking — yes, it is possible to have the same conversation hundreds of times and still find no conclusions.
As for the Washington Program and my roommates Julia, Anna and Haley — the little family we created will always be special to me.
Each weekend, I will miss the text in “Goofy Doofy Needs Cheez Its” asking to hang out that we will inevitably leave unanswered, but we will still figure out a way to find each other. Oh, and I want to commend you all once again for the embarrassing nickname of Goofy Doofy.
I am not sure how I will go on without my dining hall dates with friends like Emily and Sammi, where we complain about the food but still eat every bite.
I do not know how I would have survived these four years without my friends, who would always answer all of my class questions. Julia, Natalie and Marko, our study group, will always go down as my favorite — sorry to all of the rest.
While I have provided a long laundry list of examples of friends and experiences, there is no way to capture every person who had a profound impact on me and my time at the University. This is a large thank you and love letter to all of the people who have been there for me mentally, academically, physically or otherwise. I am glad to have gotten to know every single one of you.
I am sure all of my friends are breathing a sigh of relief that they will never have to listen to another one of my rants; the truth is that these people will never get rid of me.
“I am in my old room once more, for a little, and I am caught in musing - how life is a swift motion, a continuous flowing, changing, and how one is always saying goodbye and going places, seeing people, doing things” - Sylvia Plath
Now, I must pack up my bags. Unlike in years past, I will not need to figure out a last-minute storage unit. Everything will be coming home with me. All of my clothes that I have packed, but have never worn. All the shirts that have canon events attached to them. All of the shoes that have been destroyed at tailgates and football games. All of the books that my professors had me buy for class that I will most likely never read again, but still refuse to give up. All of the trinkets that my roommate Reyna and I decided were vital to our apartment, but never looked at again. And, most importantly, all of my memories and love that I have for the friends I have made here.
These things will never truly be gone. Even if I do have to throw out the pair of Converse that were absolutely massacred by the marshmallows thrown around during the senior game (seriously, guys, we were supposed to wait to throw them in the fourth quarter), I will always remember how I cackled as my foot got stuck to the bleachers over and over again.
I may never live in a small but comforting dorm again. My daily commute may no longer feature the Dome. And, I may not be able to quickly meet my friends for a study session turned yap session. However, I know these things will live on in my heart forever.
“All that you are seeking is also seeking you” - Franz Kafka
As devastating and earth-shattering as this feels right now, it is not all bad. I will continue to hear from my friends as they go on to do a plethora of extraordinary things. I will fly out to visit them all, using their offer of free housing as a way to check off new places from my bucket list (thanks, guys). No matter what everyone goes on to do, I know I will be proud.
Notre Dame has given all of us endless opportunities. During my time here, I have been able to take part in internships, clinics and clubs that have given me unmatched experiences. Everything that we have wished for is within our reach. All of the goals we have are attainable. Now, it is time to move forward beyond the safe bubble of the Dome to go and reach for them. Do not forget about the friends you have made, the mentors who have guided you, and the memories that make you smile to yourself. But know that great things are on their way.
And — once more — go Irish.
Emma Duffy is a senior and former social media editor for The Observer. She is a political science major with minors in journalism, ethics and democracy, constitutional studies and Italian. You can contact her at eduffy5@nd.edu.
