A Love Letter

Dear Marlboro College (in its entirety),

It's now my senior year, Marlboro. I've only been here for a year and a half, but the beginning of this semester marks the beginning of the end for us. It's a harsh truth that next December, I will graduate from this relationship and move onto the next one - a new life in Boston, or California, or the under-water world of Atlantis. Maybe graduate school, who knows. No, really, who?

We've had our ups and downs, my little college. You accepted me for who I am. I picked you as worthy to spend my money and time on. You have made my life harder than I could ever imagine. I have critiqued everything about you to the point of absurdity. You have made a year and a half seem like a lifetime. You have made me, at one time or another, uncertain about everything I knew before I knew you.

And so Marlboro, I think we should think carefully about what we both want for the next year. It's Plan, it's big. I don't want any surprises. I want an agreement on how we're going to treat each other. We need to settle this now. I'll go first.

Marlboro, I pledge to you my undying love for the next year. I promise you my heart, soul, and mind. I will treat you with kindness, compassion, and understanding. I will strive to make you a better place, and acknowledge that you are a place like no other. I will learn to love you more and more each day.

I don't ask a lot in return. I know who you are and what you're all about. I know your strengths and your flaws, and I know what I can change and what I can't. Marlboro, just let me love you and hold me close while we finish this. Help me heal from the things that have hurt me.

Thanks in advance,

Molly