Dear Roommate,

Upon realizing I was going to live with you, I wasn’t sure how I felt. At first, I felt as if I was giving away my privacy, my way of life. I mean, our room is literally the size of my bathroom at home. I was scared. I was afraid of being extroverted and embarrassing myself.

We knew each other in high-school, casually had each other in classes, but we had no idea what was to come. However, I sure am glad we became close in Junior year. Because, quite frankly, you’re one of the most important people in my life.

College is scary. Especially during Freshman year. There are so many new people and the campus is so large. It is easy to become lost in the crowd. You’ve always been around to shine a spotlight on me, making sure I stay out of that lost black void.You've always been there to get lunch with me, or to invite me out.

If you would’ve told me, even a year ago, that you and I would be this close I probably would’ve laughed and said: “No way, we’re so different.” We are indeed, polar opposites. You’re a math major. This makes me wonder why you hate yourself (not really). But I also really admire your persistence for obtaining this difficult of a degree. Simply because I’ve always been frustrated by math, as it mentally drains me. It’s okay though, I’m a Mass Communications major, so you help me solve equations and I assist in the editing of your papers. We fit together like a puzzle. A total hot mess puzzle. Even though we have occasional disagreements, we are very honest with each other. This is what makes us such compatible roommates.

Living with you has made me a better person. Even though we live in the "ghetto of the dorms" where the paint on the walls is peeling, you managed to keep flowers around, and decorated it with all your cool art. You've kept me motivated on finishing my assignments. If I was living by myself, or someone else besides you, I doubt I would've had as much success as I have. You also have encouraged me to come out of my comfort zone to share my writing. You're understanding, but also give me irreplaceable bits of advice that I wouldn't have thought about otherwise. You have such an optimistic outlook on life, which helps my pessimistic brain think in different ways.

When I had to work on Thanksgiving, you were there with a big plate of your grandma's cooking. When I was having a rough day and had a breakdown in the bathroom, you were there to dry my tears and tell me that I was going to make it through. When I was drunk and crying, you let me hug you for a solid 10 minutes and didn't judge me.When I was sick and hungry you brought me food and medicine.You've gone above and beyond.

Late nights in the dorm room when we share energy drinks and vitamins. When we spent two hours dressing up for a night on the town, and your boyfriend and his friends showed up in sweat-pants. When you buckled my beta fish "Shark" into your car seat to take him home during Hurricane Irma. Having our friends over to spend the night on your sriracha bottle pool float. Ranting about the HORRIBLE parking. Feeling sadness together. Feeling Happiness. I wouldn't have wanted freshman year to go any other way. Some people have horror stories of their roommates, but I can't relate. Maybe I have just been lucky, but I hope that everyone can experience our level of connection with their roommate.

So I'd just like to say,

Thank you.

Here's to moving out of the wall peeling dorm together,

Your Roommate.