During this time of isolation, I can’t help but think about what life was like one year ago.

Around this time last year, I was a senior in high school. Now, my heart goes out to all the current high school seniors, whose next steps are at the moment so uncertain.

Class of 2020, I know you’re not sure where your last year of high school stands right now. This was supposed to be the greatest year of your entire high school experience. But because of this terrible, scarily widespread pandemic, your school year has been compromised.

As I think about the fact that these students may not get their prom, they may not get to walk across the stage alongside their peers at graduation, it makes me wish I had held on to every single one of these memories a little stronger.

And I am so thankful…

I’m so thankful that one year ago, I got to countdown the days until graduation with my senior pictures, which included a whole photography session with two of my best friends.

One year ago, reuniting with our peers that we grew up with, we said farewell to the elementary school that raised us.

Although I was of course somewhat bummed out at the time, I am so thankful that one year ago, I performed in my last high school orchestra concert on my birthday.

One year ago, I decided super last minute to go to our senior picnic. Even though it had been relocated, we had a great time getting to miss a full day of school.

One year ago, I had the best group to go to prom with. Later, I was thankfully able to find my other friends amongst the chaos of dancing teenagers to get a quick photo.

One year ago, I got to have one last lunch with the friends that I had sat by, gossiped with, and shared many laughs with all school year.

I am even thankful for the stress that I felt one year ago, as I was finishing up multiple projects and final tests. That weight was lifted off my shoulders when I completed my official last day at school.

And finally, one year ago, I was sitting in a stadium amongst a sea of red, at the class of 2019 graduation. I’m so thankful that my best friend got to guide me across the stage that day as I received my diploma, not only because we had planned it since we were kids, but because that ramp was steep! I’m happy to have captured these final moments with all my friends, from just before finding our seats, to right after we could finally say “we did it!” I’m grateful that the same friends I share these memories from a year ago with are the same loyal, amazing people by my side today.

I can’t imagine what it would be like to be unsure if you’ll get to have these monumental experiences. These are the memories that I will forever hold onto. Then, the world’s population was not quarantined inside their homes, worried of falling ill to a horrible virus. Life was seemingly normal just one year ago.