Mo,

It was simply by chance that I met you. You were the one roommate I never talked with before I moved to Florida. You moved in the same day I did, but I did not meet you for nearly a week. When we met you were shy, kind and I had no idea how close we were about to become.

Over the first few weeks, you weren't around a lot. I quickly found out it was because you were working five days a week, something I can't imagine juggling with a full time schedule of college work. Not to mention some days you worked double shifts. We started to talk more and I learned that you are a junior, but this is your first year in college. I was in awe to learn you had an AA degree, which you earned while you were in high school and while working full-time. How could anyone take 60 credits of college classes, while attending high school and working full time? I didn't think it was possible until I met you.

We started hanging out, and little by little we became closer. We talked about our families, our pasts and where we see ourselves in the future. Seeing how hard you work in every aspect of life each day inspires me to do well in school, to be a better person and to apply maximum effort to any task at hand. Whenever I have a bad day, you are one of the first people I want to talk to. You always know the perfect things to say to cheer me up. I don't know how I would survive this semester without you.

Now, you are my go-to person. I don't even need you to tell me encouraging words, just having you by my side inspires me and gets me through the week, especially when I'm homesick. We don't even have to go out to have fun, studying and watching Netflix or talking is enough. I miss having you around when you go home on the weekends, work late or when I just want someone to make me laugh. I can't imagine how different my life in college would be without you.

Thank you for staying in with me when I am not in the mood to go out. Thank you for eating ramen noodles while sitting on the floor and watching Netflix with me. Thank you for making sure I eat when I forget and going out for late night Mexican food after you have worked a double shift at work. Most importantly, thank you for being the hardworking, compassionate person you are. You truly are an inspiration to me, Mo.

I am lucky to say one of the people I look up to is the same age as me; it shows just how incredible my best friend is.

Your best friend,

Kiersten