Everyone says that it's a terrible idea to room with your best friend in college. There's a terrible stigma surrounding it, as if choosing to partake in that is a death wish for your friendship. "You can kiss that friendship goodbye!" is what I've heard more times than I can count.
Somehow, I can't bring myself to believe that. I could not be more excited to room with the girl who's been like a sister to me since the fifth grade. We have been tied for almost ten years, considering each other sisters, best friends, and at one point, future neighbors when we moved into our dream houses with the best friends that we dated. My point is that we've been through far too much to allow being roommates to ever get in the way of that.
To my best friend, and to my future roommate, here's 12 things you need to know. (Because it's never a bad idea to say 'Thank you' in advance.)
1. Thank you for making this campus feel like home
Being away from home for the first time, for me, is going to be weird. There are going to be days when I feel like I can't adult and I just really miss my family. On those days, and every other day, I will be so thankful that you're there with me, handling college and making our new home feel like I belong in it.
2. Thank you for keeping me focused on what matters. (Which is school and academics, because that's all we're here for...)
You won't let me lose myself in the new world we'll be submersed in. And if I do, you'll be right along with me, so at least I won't be alone. Thanks, girl.
3. Thank you for knowing when things aren't quite right.
And helping me through them when they aren't. (Even if you found out only because I wrote another Open Letter To My Ex again.)
4. Thank you for understanding when I want to be by myself.
I know there will be days when I don't want to leave campus to do anything, let alone leave the dorm room. We'll be in such close proximity, and sometimes, that will be too much. We'll need time apart. Thanks for being okay with that every once in awhile. And when you need that, I'll give you time. (If you need me, I'll be at Starbucks. The one in the UC.)
5. Thanks for adulting with me.
Let's be real, the adult life is hard. And, while we have a few years left in college before we're truly there, it's nice to have you right along with me to suffer through as we figure it all out.
6. Thank you for being there when That Boy breaks my heart.
No, not that one. The other one, whoever comes next. It's bound to happen, and when it does, thank you for letting me cry on you and make you spend all your money on ice cream and tissues. (And if it is That One, well, you have the right to say "I told you so".)
7. Thank you for suffering through 8 a.m. classes with me.
Need I say more?
8. Thank you for the moments of tough love.
I know there will be a lot. Sometimes, we just need someone to tell us when we're making terrible decisions, like skipping class again or assuming a frat boy has our best interests at heart.
9. Thank you for supporting me.
Even when I do make terrible decisions. I'll do the same for you, always. What are best friends for?
10. Thank you for the coffee dates. (And there will be a lot.)
You of all people know I focus best when there's coffee in front of me. You're the same way, so I know our new friends will find us studying at a coffee place somewhere on campus or around it more often than not.
11. Thank you for helping me figure it all out.
From what clubs to join, to what sorority to inquire about, to knowing the exact time we have to leave the dorm to make it across campus for class and make it just in time. I'm excited to learn the ins and outs of our new home with my best friend.
12. Most importantly, thank you for being my best friend.
Here's to our new life.