Dear 2020 seniors,

I know there are some people telling you that you shouldn't be sad.

That graduation is long and hot and dumb.
That prom is never fun anyways.
That you'll see your friends again.
That senior traditions aren't really that important anyways.
I'm sorry.
That's a load of unempathetic bullshit.

Graduation is long and hot and dumb but getting to cheer for your friends as they cross the stage,
Shaking hands with everyone as you cross the stage,
It's unforgettable.

Prom usually isn't all it lives up to be,
But getting to see everyone look so beautiful,
And jump around and savor being a kid for just a few more hours is worth it.

You will see your friends again,
But not in the school setting you've made 4 years of memories with,
You won't get to cry as you leave choir or band or art, or that senior only class with all the people you've spent so long with,
And sure maybe crying isn't fun but it's part of moving on.

And sure maybe senior traditions aren't that memorable,
But you've waited four years to do them,
And they're fun.

Why do I say all this?

Because you're allowed to be sad.
You're allowed to hurt and cry and be angry.

This is a time that was supposed to be for you to do what you were supposed to and need to to close off all your hard work the last 12 years of your life and you don't get it.

Be. Sad.
Be. Disappointed.
Cry.

Let yourself feel.

But now here's what I promise you.

I promise that you'll see your friends again.
I promise that whatever path you take after you officially graduate,
Whether it's traditional college or not,
Eventually you're going to find something that fits you.
Eventually you're going to make new friends and create new connections.

And there will come a time where the sadness is just nostalgia.
Because you will know that your schools made the right choice to keep you and the people you love safe,
And that you made the right choices to keep them safe too.

So be sad.
Let yourself be sad.
But know it's going to be ok.