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Dear Pine Crest,

As I sit around and watch the Publix Thankgiving commercial on loop, interrupted only by a series of Black Friday announcements, I can’t help but feel a little bit sad.

Sure, I should be excited for the five-day break ahead, filled with family, food, and fun, but there’s a small part of me that sighs forlornly in the background, and not because I desperately want Publix’s pilgrim salt and pepper shakers at my own Thanksgiving table.

I can’t stop myself from looking just a little bit ahead–okay, a whole year ahead. I know that I will have to take a flight to get to next year’s Thanksgiving, and I know that there’s a possibility that my Thanksgiving table might look a little different next year.

But, the two people I’ve been seated in between for the last eighteen years will still be right beside me, and I do know that no matter what, the tradition of waking up to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the National Dog Show right afterwards will live on.

While the next few months will fly before my eyes, and soon senior year will be over before I know it, I just wanted to take some time to be thankful for all that’s happened this past year.

• My family: When I say that I don’t know where I would be without them, I honestly don’t. My parents have stuck with me through the stresses of senior year, and continue to do so. I don’t know how you do it, but I’m forever thankful that both of you are always there to lend a hand, a hug, an ear to listen, and a shoulder to cry on when things just don’t seem to be going right. I’m going to miss the heck out of you next year, but I know you’ll only be a phone call away.
• My friends: To Amanda, Andrea, Destiny, Isabella, Kyra, Marissa, Rachel, Sydney and Sydney, for keeping me sane this year. I don’t know how to explain to you all how thankful I am for always being there, whether to listen or to just tell me to relax. My favorite band couldn’t have said it better, “my friends are a different breed, my friends are everything.” I love you guys, and I’m so lucky to call you my friends.
• Mrs. J: Thank you for trusting Alexis, Izzy and me with the precious baby that has developed into the very mature toddler that is Type One. I couldn’t be more thankful to your for all of your guidance over the last four years–from being my English teacher my freshman year and encouraging me to keep writing–to helping me attempt my dream job and realize that it was an actual possibility for me. I have plenty more thank you’s for you, but I’ll save those for graduation.
• Alexis: Thank you for being my partner-in-crime when it comes to meetings, articles, and deadlines galore. I never actually thought that at that very first meeting freshman year, we would be leading the first Type One meeting our senior year. It always seemed too far away, and I still can’t believe it every Monday morning at 7:30am (7:45 for full staff!) in Case Method Room 320. Thank you for being by my side and watching this paper grow into something we only dreamed of.
• Izzy: Thank you for being the Managing Editor that Alexis and I always wanted. From your weekly email blasts to social media updates, you keep the pulse of this newspaper going. It feels like only yesterday we had formed the Triumvirate–whose idea that was, I can’t remember, but I only hope that we don’t face the same fate as the very First Triumvirate of Ancient Rome.
• Type One Staff: You all don’t get enough credit for all that you do. I can’t begin to thank you enough for your tireless dedication–for showing up to meetings, sticking to deadlines, conducting interviews and taking the hundreds and hundreds of photographs that you do. I’m so thankful for all that you do, because without you, there would be no Type One to publish.
• The readers: Thank you for clicking on the Schoology, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter links whenever you do, only if it’s just to scroll to the end of the page. Thank you for reading whenever something catches your eye, and thank you for keeping us going, no matter what. Without you, we wouldn’t be Type One, and without you, I wouldn’t be so passionate about this publication. It’s for you that I am one of the eighty-one members on staff, and it’s for you that we keep writing, because we want to keep you informed. Thank you for consistently checking in with us, and following us every week.

Your Co-Editor-in-Chief of Type One,

Ruchika Sharma