Oh sweet, sweet Tigerfest. It’s been so long since we’ve spoken. I’ve missed you.

Do you remember the last time we saw each other? We spent the whole day together, frolicking in the afternoon sun like a couple of love-struck kids.

There was wiffleball on the hillside, there was swaying and holding up lighters as Dashboard Confessional played romantic ballads. Remember how people threw things at them so they cut their set short? I still remember seeing dozens of girls being carried away from the front of the stage in tears. I’m not sure if they were being pounded in the mosh pit or if they were just incredibly moved by Dashboard’s performance. It was a beautiful spring afternoon. I got so carried away with you that I forgot to eat anything all day. You do that to me.

Sure, we got a little crazy. You and I, we started drinking so early it was laughable. We were doing Jager bombs by noon. Oh you, you were so drunk, but not as drunk as I was. I know I may have had a few too many drinks even though you kept telling me to slow down. I know I promised we’d spend the night together but instead I stumbled home early and fell asleep.

You called me nine times while my phone was on full volume and I slept through all of them. Believe me, I felt awful about that when I woke up at four in the morning to eat Lucky Charms because I was starving, and I felt even worse the next day, but I swear I’ll make it up to you this time.

Things are complicated between us now, I know that. It feels like we’re one mistake away from never being able to see each other again. There are those that would keep us apart forever because they don’t like our raucous public displays of affection.

Some people can’t handle the whirlwind of passion we leave in our wake when we’re together, or the beer cans.

If you ask me, they’re just jealous. They’re jealous of our youth and our love and our alcohol tolerance. They’re jealous that we’re out having fun while they’re at work.

Look, I’m not an idiot. I know what you’re thinking. We don’t have a future together, right? I know that. You don’t think I know that? I’m a junior now. We’re lucky if we have two more years, but chances are I won’t be able to see you again after next spring even. Maybe I can have a friend sneak me in after I graduate, but we can’t count on that. Maybe the community will finally cancel you for good.

Even so, you’ll eventually move on and start seeing younger, drunker college kids, and I’ll start hanging out with older, more mature concerts, but I don’t see why that has to change anything between us for right now. Let’s cast aside our fears for one more day and relive the good times that we used to have.

I have big plans for us this Saturday, Tigerfest. I’ll stay awake past 8 p.m. this time, I promise.