July 2nd, 2017, I received this:

"What a nice person!" I thought. It made my day. It made my week. So much so that I actually screenshot it and posted it on Facebook, in awe that there were people with souls as kind as the young lady who texted me. Little did I know that at the moment, on July 2nd, I had found my person.

Joy and I first started to bond over the Odyssey, we both were writers, which was cool. Then we began to text everyday. Eventually, we added each other on social media. Ironically, we had so many mutual friends. Joy asked me how I know all of these people and it turns out that I volunteered at a retreat with people from her church. That was another thing we could bond over. "What a small world," I thought.

After a while, we began to Facetime. I wanted to meet Joy but I knew it'd be hard because I live an hour and a half south of her. It's not that far, no, but it is when one of you doesn't drive and the other has a car that could break down going more than twenty miles. So we continued to Facetime more and more. A few times a month. Then it progressed to every few. Eventually, we began to Facetime every day.

Joy and I have a lot in common- We have mutual friends. We write. We sing. We lead worship. We are both obsessed with Grey's Anatomy. We have the same sense of humor. We're both silly. The more I got to know her, the more I began to fall in love with her personality and was lured into her joyful personality. (No, her name was NOT a coincidence!) It got to the point where we literally texted each other nonstop throughout the day, calling each other spontaneously, but also when in need. She became my shrink. I became her shrink. We prayed for each other constantly through the phone. We would harmonize with each other on Facetime. I would help her with her AP Psychology homework while she would be the first to listen to me prepare for my assignments for class, helping me with my speeches and listening to my original songs. She became my best friend. No, I had never met her. I had never hugged her. But she was my person. She was my best friend. I felt like I finally had a little sister.

I was initially inspired by her boldness and kind heart to send me that text message, I wanted to experience more of those moments in person! So I planned a trip to meet her. I took the train to her town. Just a few days before writing this article, I met my sister for the first time. In the train station, she nearly knocked me over with her giant hug. We ran into each other's arms. I can't explain the feelings that came with it. Recognizing that she was a PERSON! With skin, hair, and someone tangible! It was like meeting my pen pal for the first time. I never wanted to let go of her.

We cherished every moment together. It was such a memorable and fun experience. We laughed night and day. When we weren't laughing, we were worshiping. She got to harmonize to one of my original songs and we got to make a video of it! I have never felt so honored! No, we won't have traditional hang out time, but we WILL see each other again. I have promised to make an effort to come there as much as possible, and she will come visit me one day as well. I sit here writing this article emotional because already, I do miss her. I miss my sister.

Joy may be younger than me, but I look up to her. She shines her light wherever she goes. It is beyond encouraging to see such a young person completely on fire for the Lord! The way she worships is INTENSE. She is incredibly anointed. She puts the biggest smile on my face and makes my heart feel full. I'm so excited to see the plans the Lord has for her and to be a part of her life. I can't wait to watch her grow! I'm beyond happy that the Lord has given me someone to mentor, but also someone who can mentor to me by her boldness, kind Spirit, genuine soul and wisdom beyond her years. We can teach each other different things and learn from each other. Just like sisters.

So there you have it: A text message literally changed both of our lives. No, it wasn't the article that did this- it was the act of kindness! Joy didn't have to reach out that day. But she did, because that's who Joy is. And I'm so happy she did. Fire is the symbol of our friendship.

Joy Anna Marie, you are my person. You will always be my person.