Thank You, North Carolina
Life is about decisions. Sometimes between two paths that both matter. Thankful for my time at the University of North Carolina and fired up to be a Michigan Man.
Rami Fakih
8/18/20264 min read
I’ve been sitting with this for a while now, trying to write something that feels genuine. Something that actually feels real and not forced. But every time I start, I stop or erase. I restart. Because the truth is, I don’t think there’s a perfect way to fully explain how I feel, and maybe that’s because some things just aren’t meant to be perfectly explained.
Decisions are hard. This is my Rami’s Sports Corner reflection for the month and if there’s one thing I’ve learned through this, it’s that in life, we’re all faced with moments where we have to make difficult decisions. Not because there's always a right or wrong answer but because sometimes there isn't one at all. Just two paths that both matter in different ways. And that's what makes it difficult having to chose between two things you love.
In those moments I don't think theres a formula. All you can really do is trust yourself, trust your timing, and believe that whichever path you choose, you'll make it the right one. This was one of those moments for me.
When I think about this past year at the University of North Carolina, I keep coming back to one word: love.
When I came to Chapel Hill I wasn’t really sure about a lot of things. I was searching for who I was, for what I wanted, for where I was going. I loved Chapel Hill and everything it had to offer, but I didn’t fully understand at the time how much it was going to give me. It gave me everything I was searching for and I found that here more than I’ve found anything else in my entire life.
I found happiness. Not all at once but slowly. It didn’t come from one big moment or one big Seth Trimble beating three verse Duke. It was built over time. It was in the people I met, the conversations I had, the small moments that didn’t seem like much at the time but ended up meaning everything now that I reflect. The random nights around campus, the Davis table laughs, the feeling of slowly becoming comfortable in a place that once felt so scary. Day by day, Carolina became something more than just a school to me. It became home and that’s something I will always cherish.
When I think about what Carolina gave me, the word that always comes to mind is gratitude. To every person I crossed paths with, thank you. If you are reading this, thank you for the conversations, for the support, for not looking past me in coversation, and for showing me what true kindness looks like. I always joke about “southern hospitality.” I even wrote about it in a blog a couple months ago saying how when I’m up north, I talk about how we need more of it. But being here, I realized it’s not just a phrase. You made this place what it was for me. You showed me what it means to feel welcomed, what it means to belong, and what southern hospitality actually looks like. More than that, you showed me what genuine people look like in a world right now that feels so chaotic what kindness feels like.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t specifically thank my brothers in Alpha Kappa Psi - Alpha Tau Chapter. When I first got to Chapel Hill there were some really lonely nights. I didn’t know anyone, and I was trying to figure things out while searching for my people. But through AKPsi, through the Bridge to Brotherhood process, and through being part of something bigger than myself that changed. I found something I didn’t even realize I was missing which was family. The relationships I built here are ones I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. To go from feeling alone to having people I can call my brothers, people I can rely on, have memories with, and grow with, means everything to me. That is something I’ll always be grateful for.
As I think about this decision and what it means I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity at the University of Michigan and for everyone who has made it possible. Anyone who knows me knows how much Michigan means to me. This isn’t just a school it’s something I’ve been chasing for years. It’s family, it’s legacy, and it’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid. For as long as I can remember I have always believed in what that place represents and always aspired to be a "Michigan Man". Now I have the opportunity, and I’m excited to step into something I’ve believed in for so long. But choosing Michigan doesn’t take away from what Carolina gave me. Carolina gave me something at a time when I didn’t even fully understand how much I needed it. The truth is, I needed Carolina more than anything in my entire life.
Nothing can ever take away my appreciation for the University of North Carolina and the overwhelming number of positive things I was able to experience here. And now as I begin this new chapter, nothing can stop my excitement to chase a dream I’ve believed in since I was a kid.
But no matter where I go, Carolina will always be in my mind. And it's great to be a Michigan Wolverine.
Go Heels and Go Blue
— Rami
