When I received my first email from Wartburg this summer about move-in day, I was overjoyed... And horrified. I was so excited to begin this next journey of my life, but also so scared to be doing it completely alone. I knew no one and had no friends of mine from high school going to the same college as me. I was not too concerned about making friends, because I am a very social person, but college would be a new place. I wanted to be accepted and loved and I was terrified I wouldn't be.

Before I knew it, summer was over and I found myself driving to the side of campus where my dorm is located with my family. I had so many anxious feelings about this place but I also found the crew that assisted in moving kids in to be very friendly. Then, everything became a blur. For the next two hours my life consisted of hauling luggage and supplies into my dorm, taking it all out of boxes and bins, and organizing everything I owned into my section of the dorm.

Then I met my roommate, Ryley. Most people think they get the short end of the stick when getting a roommate, but I most definitely did not. From day one, I have been 120% blessed to have my roommate. Essentially we are the same person (sometimes it is scary, yes) and occasionally people thought we were dating (we aren't). We are the definition of roommate goals.

Then I met my stalker, but not really. Anna and I repeatedly met each other throughout move-in day. At the bookstore, Pizza Ranch, and even Wal-Mart. The funniest part about all this is we have known about each other for months, as we were in Minnesota All-State Choir together. Never once, before move-in day, however, had we spoken. Now, she and I call each other just to talk about the most random stuff.

Abbie and Amber, who are also roommates I met through the Scholars Program. Abbie and I vaguely knew each other and Amber was new to the mix. Abbie is the pun-lover, and is so good at them it isn't even 'punny'. Amber has a heart of gold and is a genius when it comes to music theory (she has saved me more than once). Both of them are incredibly positive people in my life and I am so happy I can call them my dearest friends.

Claire and Syrena (another set of roommates, woah.) I met through Anna. Two of the sweetest girls I have ever met that share such a strong bond. Claire with an incredibly caring personality and Syrena, with a sense of humor that has me laughing so hard I cry. These two are another pair of perfect additions.

By the end of the day, I had met the people I call my best friends here at college. They are my freshman squad, my college besties, my Team Trashbag (it's an inside joke and I know it is really cool, you don't need to tell me).

The best part of this group is not all of us share the same major, but we all make time for and support each other through thick and thin. I am lucky to have a friend group that mothers and fathers each other, gives the best advice, and will just sit for hours talking about life and playing games. Without these guys, I can honestly say I do not know how I would survive college.

So thank you, my dearest college friends. I love you to the moon and back, and cannot wait to add more memories to my life and quotes to Anna's phone.