The Loughrea Girlies

Hello! Long time no see. My bad, I am consistently head empty no thoughts these days. Loughrea has with time become a place I don't exactly love. It serves as a constant reminder of past mistakes and shitty people I've encountered over the years. It's too small of a place to fully escape these reminders. That said there are a few select people who make Loughrea much more tolerable. MY FRIENDS DUH!!! Anyways, I've been thinking a lot about going back to college and how most of them are going to Germany for the year. I want something on the record that shows them how much I admire and care for each of them. That's what this is.

Aoife... Aoife and I became best friends within the first few weeks of secondary school after I told her she has nice hair (still true) and we bonded over crushes on people who shall remain nameless. Since then she's been my girl. We have literally been through all the ever changing friend groups together. Every school drama that at the time felt like the end of the world. There is a very high chance that this girl knows me better than I know myself. Obviously, we have both changed a lot over the years and have had many different versions of ourselves and yet through it all we've always managed to stay close. Our new versions always seem to stay compatible and I think they always will. Over the last 8 or 9 so years, Aoife's friendship has been probably the most consistent thing in my life. For that I am eternally grateful to her. She is one of the funniest people I've ever met. She is honest and always tells me when I'm being stupid which I appreciate because sometimes I need someone to bring me back down to Earth a little bit. She is always aware of how the people around her might feel about things she says. As a result she never says things that make your heart drop a little bit. And if she does (which is extremely rare) it's because you definitely needed to hear it. She's always there in a crisis and I always feel better after talking with her about something that's been bothering me. It's such an honour to me to know someone's thoughts on almost everything and to know exactly how their brain works. There is no doubt in my mind that we will be friends forever. Aoife McGrath, you're classy, kind and fabulous. Never forget it.

Valerie...Valerie is probably the closest thing to the definition of joy you can get. I doubt she always feels joyous because who does? But there's something about her where just being around her makes you feel as though joy is literally pouring out of you. She has the most contagious laugh. Often laughs until she cries. She always matches your energy. As a result, you never feel strange or judged by anything you say or do. You could talk to her about literally anything for hours. I remember one time, her and I went for ice cream and we spent a good 4-5 hours just in my car at the lake yapping about our thoughts on anything and everything. That's probably one of my more recent favourite memories. Always listens. Always gets it. She is someone I trust very much. I feel I could tell her anything and it would never be repeated to anyone. I don't think you have ever given anyone a reason to be mad at you ever. Never one for the drama. Always thinking with a level head. Valerie my dear, I truly believe you deserve all the best things in life. I truly believe I will be around to witness them. I really miss seeing you every day in school. You used to instantly put me in a better mood no matter what. Truly, one of a kind.

Rachel... Rachel O'Malley. ROM. Me and Rachel go back to the Brid days. We were in the same class in those scary first year days. We've really seen each other grow up. Rachel always offers me new perspectives on things people and situations. She's shown me how to appreciate my surroundings more and to look for small and beautiful details in everyday things. These are irreplaceable lessons. One of the things I love most about Rachel is that we have these long deep conversations and we sort of challenge each other in them. We don't just say 'Yeah I agree' for the sake of not upsetting the other. We both feel free to say 'well no actually I think this...'. We encourage each other to look at things in different ways. I think she's a very brave person and a very strong person. She always gives me good advice and guidance in not so great times in my life. Our friendship is very precious to me and I've all the faith that no matter how long we go without talking or seeing each other, at the heart of things our friendship always remains. Come home soon, the kids miss you xx

Abbie...Not sure where to start with this one! This girl probably knows every inch of my brain, and I hers. She instantly knows when I'm feeling uncomfortable. She knows straight away when I'm upset or off. She knows what jokes I'm going to make before I say them. I find in group hangouts that sometimes we are the only two pissing ourselves laughing about something (to the rest of my Kavos 2024 girls...sorry). I've seen you go from hospitality to dropout to guard. It's been a privilege to support you through the whole thing. There's few people I'd go on runs for and even fewer I'd drive to Templemore for a fitness test. Abbie is the kind of person where when you're sad she'll let you win an arm wrestle or let you play Beyonce in the car and try to sing along. Never one to force you to talk about your feelings and instead finds alternatives that make you feel even better than talking it out. Always gives whatever it is you need. I've learned so much from you and there is no doubt that you have played a huge role in who I am today. You're going to go so far in life. Trust.

Moya...Moya has been there for my every breakdown in 5th year and leaving cert. I mean the gross sobbing snotty kind. I remember we sort of started this tradition in school where if we knew the other was having a bad day we'd buy each other a mocha from Weavers. Maybe it sounds stupid but I genuinely think those mochas got me into college. Moya is one of the most hard working individuals I've ever met and for that I truly look up to her so much. She achieves everything she sets her mind to. When I need to get my shit together, I pretend I'm Moya and you know what? It works. Although I should probably start doing this year round and not just exam season...anyway. Moya, you're one of the most determined and talented people I've ever met. I really do appreciate the times you have been there for me and I hope I returned the favour. I can't wait to see everything you achieve in life.

I've watched all these girls grow and evolve into these amazing individuals. Each of them has such a strong and memorable personality. I'm so lucky that they have stuck by me over time and I'm so fortunate to have them as my friends. All my friends mean everything to me. I think my whole purpose is to just love and be there for my friends. I hope each and everyone of you knows that I'm always going to be here whenever you need me. It doesn't matter when the last time we saw each other or when the last time we spoke was. I love you all always.