After seven semesters with the Pacer staff, one would think that a final column would be easy to write. Absolutely not!

Upon graduation in a few short days, I will look back on my memories from here and smile. Though some were good and some bad, I grew a bit through each and every experience. One cannot ask for a greater education.

I have had such an awesome time with this newspaper and being a Communications major in general. I accomplished something through the UTM Communications Department that I never did accomplish in high school. I found my niche, my home away from home.

My greatest cheerleader in life has always been my mother. You somehow gave me strength to go on, even if I was 45 minutes away. You were the one person, besides myself of course, that I went to college for and worked my tail off so I could make you proud. I love you so much.

There is another person who has been like a second mother to me during my four years as a Communications major. Tomi, if you were not a part of my life, I don’t know if I would have had the strength to go on some days. For all the days (and nights) that I have sat in your office and discussed matters of the world and my heart, I am forever thankful. I learned so much more from you than what you taught in the classroom.

The Josh Groban hit “You Raise Me Up” perfectly encompasses all that my mother and Tomi did for me to get me to this point .

“When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary; when troubles come and my heart burdened be; then, I am still and wait here in the silence, until you come and sit awhile with me. You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; you raise me up, to walk on stormy seas; I am strong, when I am on your shoulders; you raise me up: To more than I can be.”

The next person that helped me is my fiancé, Eric. You have made life so much sweeter than I ever dreamed it could be. I cannot wait to become your wife so we can start our life together. I love you with all my heart and soul. As much as I like Tennessee, I promise I’ll be where you are sooner than you think.

The next person who kept me entertained for the last four and a half years is my bestest friend, Matt. You somehow know what cheers me up and will do anything for you. You are like the brother I never had, which is ironic considering we pick on each other as if we were.

All underclassmen, don’t take this university or this town for granted. Looking back on my college career, I doubt I would change a thing. As I am on the cusp of leaving, I find myself pondering things like “what will life be like when I no longer have to go to classes?”, “how will I get my fix of super nachos from La Canasta?” and “how long can I get away with using my student ID to get student discounts?”

Do not consider this a good bye, just consider it a “see you later” because I’ll be back to visit sometime. I promise.