it's not goodbye

Last night was my school leavers ball. It was very different in comparison to the ball I went to on Saturday; it might not have had dodgems hired out, a massive marquee or a posh four course meal, but actually, in my eyes in was perfect in every single way. I suppose it highlighted the major differences between my school - an average mixed state school and my boyfriend's school.

No expense was spared in making my boyfriend's ball a really spectacular evening, but in all honesty, as amazing as the whole event was, it all seemed very staged and it marked some very big contrasts between the "rich kids" and the "nerds" who gained some form of scholarship. There wasn't a sense of community. When I look at my ball, it was an average evening, people still looked beautiful, but what was evident was how much people cared about each other. Students mixed with the teachers, laughed with them, drank (too much) with them and although it is a standing joke in the school, there was a real sense of community. One of the boys did a brilliant speech, highlighting the best parts of the 6th form, the head boy and girl gave out awards and our year head made a speech which had a number of people in tears by the end.

Like in any school, there have been ups and downs, but looking back, my seven years at secondary school couldn't have been better. I am incredibly proud to have been part of such an amazing school and I am so glad I chose to go there. But I am even more glad that I was able to meet the people I have. They are the people who picked me up on my worst days, the ones who made me smile when I thought I'd never smile again, the ones who knew when I needed a hug and the ones I had the laughs with, the tears with and the drunken parties with.

I strongly believe that distance doesn't matter in a friendship. Whilst I may not see these people everyday, I know it's not the end, it's not goodbye. The friendships will change, but they will remain. From the bottom of my heart, I thank these people, they are incredible and I love them more than words can say.

“True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings” William Shakespeare