4 years.

Today, I start my senior year in college.

I'm a senior.

In college.

2007



2008



2009



2010

If you had described the person I am today to the person I was four years ago, I think I would have laughed in your face.



During a preseason pool practice, we had to go around and introduce ourselves to one of the trainers. We had to say our name, our year, and one word to describe ourselves.

Do you know how hard that is? ONE WORD.

It turned into each person saying her name, her year, and then the rest of the team shouting words that describe that person. It was eye-opening to see how we each saw each other.

"I'm Lydia. I'm a senior. And I'm..."

"Motivational!"

"Laugh-aholic!"

"Friendly"

And then my friend Blair says, "She's never met a stranger."



What she said stuck with me for the next few hours. We were walking back from dinner that night and I turned to her and said, "What you said about me at the pool has been in my head all day."

"Really? Well, I meant it."

"Thanks. I think that's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said about me."

"Aww. I'm glad you came out for the team, Lydia."

"So am I. This year is all about doing new things and trying things that I would have been too scared to do before. "


I'm a senior in college, but a rookie on the field hockey team. It's my fourth year at St. Mary's, but my first year single. I've made incredible friends, but there are even more people out there for me to meet.





I look at this upcoming year with wide eyes and tons of hope. It's going to be a great one, and I look forward to telling you all about it.