FRIENDS

“A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.” – Donna Roberts

As I write this, I am in my living room with some good friends. One is playing the guitar and we're enjoying the last hours together before leaving for the semester. Despite the chaos and uncertainty going on in our lives, us being in the same room and being present brings this feeling of peace. What I have realized towards the end of the year is that the hardships we encounter together help us build the most intimate bond.

For me, friendship is one of the greatest values that can be attained. Just yesterday I had one of the best nights of my life. I am a very calculated person, so for me to be able to let go of the rigid schedule that I feel like I need to have is surprising. That's exactly what happened yesterday. We were all on the same page of making the most of the night. From Walmart trips to dinner to running away from the Huntington Beach Patrol at 3am, there's nothing quite like the feeling that comes with being with your pals. It gives you the strength to face anything life may throw at you.

Roommates:

I would absolutely consider my roommates to be my closest friends. They are the only people that I could spend a ridiculous amount of time with and not get tired of. I can truly be myself around them. They have seen several different layers of me that no one else has seen. I love being able to come home and give them "TED talks", ask for advice, and embrace their comforting shoulder when I'm down. In an ever changing environment like a dorm, they are the ones who make me feel at home, even when I'm hundreds of miles away from my physical home. I can count on them to hold me accountable and challenge me in all of my endeavors. I have been through some very difficult friendships that for some time altered the way I look at friendship. I became afraid of betrayal and vulnerability. But, because of my roommates I am able to see how transformative it can be to have people who are truly rooting for you.