By Jamie Santarella
As autumn finally began to roll in, and summer stumbled out, I found myself reflecting on how much my very own seasons of life had changed. This semester has been full throttle – I feel like I've barely had a moment to breathe. It's been a difficult semester so far with endless amounts of homework, internship applications, and even as a junior, constant thoughts about my future.
Through all this stress and uncertainty, I realized one of the biggest things that keeps me grounded, anxiety-free, and empowered through it all is: friendship.
I've always felt that friendship, specifically among women, is incredibly special – I would even go so far to say it's magic.
"You people make this place feel like home"
"We're all weird in our own way"
"I love how we are all insanely different but it works"
MONET CAVANAUGH / UP Photographer
As nasty as girls can be sometimes, I think female friendship holds a unique power that allows for endless amounts of support, acceptance, and love. Nothing feels better than having a shoulder, or multiple shoulders, to lean on whenever you need it, and without judgment.
"Friendship is being able to effortlessly and authentically be yourself with each other"
"I'm so thankful to have friends that push me to be my best self always and support me on the journey to find that"
MONET CAVANAUGH / UP Photographer
"I lost a lot of faith in the meaning of friendship until I found a true group of girls that is unapologetically genuine. To say they empower me is an understatement"
So, this is a small love letter to some of my favorite people:
Thank you for being outrageous and weird at all the appropriate times, but serious and sentimental when needed. Thank you for telling me when I'm wrong, but also cheering me on, front row, when I'm right. Thank you for the deep belly laughs, and the messy midnight cry's. You're some of the most caring and genuine, yet badass women I've ever met, and I couldn't be more proud to call you my friends.
MONET CAVANAUGH / UP Photographer
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