The other day I ran out in the pouring rain. I was hand-in-hand with a friend, and we skipped down the Commons toward the Victory Bell carelessly like we were in second grade. We giggled at our goofiness. I breathed in the cold air as my friend said, “Leah, I can’t believe your leaving me soon. You don’t have too much longer here.”

A lump formed in my throat. You know, the kind you get when your boyfriend/girlfriend says, “We need to talk,” or when you realize you forgot that you have a paper due tomorrow.

It was then it hit me.

Now, I said I would never write a column like this. No one reads them.

I realized I didn’t get to do all the things I wanted to in college. The things I feel I should have or could have achieved or experienced.

I never stayed out all night by myself or with friends. However, I did walk the Campus Loop repeatedly late into the night with Lish out of pure boredom. It was in our silent moments that we learned the most about each other.

I never tried out for the gymnastics or dance team even though I think I could have, but I always beat Jeff in our handstand contests. Plus, Katie and I always jumped at the chance to make up an interpretive dance even if it was to something cheesy like “Come Sail Away” by Styx.

I never found the time to write poetry or songs while sitting under a tree, but I did get to go to an Ashlee Simpson concert with Daley and write a column about it for the Stater.

I didn’t join a sorority, but with the sisterly love and openness paired with the sometimes catty bickering that I get from my roommates Ashleigh, Laine and Melissa, it almost feels like I did.

I couldn’t find time to keep a diary, but Hilbert was always there for me so I could vent and divulge all my secrets. You’re the best listener, and your pep talks kept me going.

I didn’t get “discovered” or become famous, but I did star in some hilarious skits with B and Ivan in their TV-2 show, “Desk Job.” I don’t think I’ll ever live down licking my own underwear for a laugh. They were clean, of course.

I never cheated on a test, but I often convinced Dr. Harper to let our copy editing class out hours early. Thanks for your sense of humor and guidance, Joe.

I never got to date the captain of the football or basketball team, but I did share one sweet, innocent kiss with a certain Stater editor. Few people know about it.

I definitely didn’t meet the love of my life, but I did get an education on what I’m not looking for in a man. Besides, the real loves of my life came in the form of my best friends Mary and Kate.

No, I didn’t get to do all the things I thought I should have, but the things I did get to do made up for it. And that’s really all that matters to me.

Leah Bowers is a senior information design major and the design director of the Daily Kent Stater. Contact her at [email protected].