So much has changed since then.
For a mere 158 days, I have been able to call myself a member of the Loveland High School Crimson Regiment of the 2012 year. These 158 days have meant the world to me. Even through the tears, frustrations, annoyances, and everything else that may not have been desirable, I wouldn't trade those days for anything in this universe. Not one thing will mean more to me.
I dedicated myself to this group of people since day one, and I've been dedicated to each and every one of them for a little over 5 months now. They mean so much to me. They are my family, honestly. Even the ones I may not have talked to or even known their names, they are a part of my 125 person family.
Last night, after our State Finals performance, I'm not ashamed to admit that I was sobbing hysterically. During the last few pages of the closer, I looked up at our drum major, Janelle, and she looked down at me. And we both started crying. That was the last time we were ever going to play that show. The last time that exact group of 125 people would be creating art together. When we finally wheeled ourselves off the field, I lost it. We gathered up in a large group and Freesen, the band director, gave us our final after show speech. I'm pretty sure that more than half of the band was crying at this point.
When he stopped talking, we broke and everybody just started to hug each other. We probably stood in that area hugging and crying for about 45 minutes. It was beautiful, actually. I felt so loved, and I realized how meaningful this experience was to me. I will never forget it.
And now, as I sit here writing this, and the second movement of the New World Symphony is playing over the sound of my silent tears, I want to say thank you. To everyone. You all have truly changed my life. And I'm so grateful to every single one of you. I could never put my true feelings into words, so I hope a simple thank you does the job. I'm going to miss every single one of you.
And while I'm not ready to leave all you beautiful people, I have to go. It is no longer my time to shine. It's not your time to grow up and become amazing musicians, to make the audience have all sorts of wonderful emotions, and to make connections like the amazing ones that I have this year. This time is for all of you, and I know that every single one of you will make all 24 of us seniors so proud of you.
I have never been so proud to be a part of something so phenomenal.
I have no regrets. Not one.
And that, my friends, is truly amazing.
