We were the kids running up and down the halls,
screaming, laughing, and cursing, and singing,
and shouting “I love you!” at the top of our lungs,
from the bottom of our hearts; together.

You and I, we were the ones to make meaning
out of cracked sidewalks, grey buildings, and faulty fire alarms,
and we grew together and made each other cry
happy tears and sad tears, all at once; overwhelming.

We are the kids walking down the aisle
arm in arm, in long black robes under the hot summer sun,
chanting up to the sky and throwing our caps in the air,
only to catch them and say, “Now what?”

“Where to?” Across the country to opposite ends,
learning and growing more than we ever had,
missing all the things we thought we never would,
and craving to be back home with all the things that mattered.

But we don’t go back, and though the journey here has ended,
our story hasn’t, and we still have memories to make,
lives to live. It may be over, but it isn’t dead because
it will stay in our hearts forever; sweetly.

I can see us years from now, writing letters and making
long-distance phone calls. I know that you’ll stay in my heart,
and I will shout “I love you!” from a million miles away,
and you will make me cry sad tears, happy tears; forever.