ROOMMATE: “A person you are forced to live with in a tiny dorm room, with whom the University will ensure that you will not get along with. Someone who will make your life hell, no matter how nice you are.”
Sorry Urban Dictionary, but you’re wrong about this one.
Don’t get me wrong –I’ve had some pretty terrible experiences with former roommates. But, believe it or not, not every roommate in the history of college living makes your life terrible. For example, my friend Emily is the greatest roommate in the history of McNeese State University. I'm probably biased, but for some reason God decided we were meant to live together. #blessed
For the past two years, Emily has been with me through the highs and the lows, the ups and the downs, the jerks and the mean girls, the crazy bosses and annoying coworkers; that girl has seen it all. Through broken hearts and crazy hard finals, she’s the person that has made the best (and certainly most difficult) years of my life absolutely worth it. She’s not just a roommate, she is so much more.
She’s a mother.
Don’t freak out. My roommate does NOT have children. I’m speaking metaphorically here. She is a mother to me when I’m away from home. She listens to me vent about my insane professors and usually takes my side when there’s a conflict between me and someone else. She lets me cry it out when a dumb boy hurts my feelings. She brings me Chick-Fil-A when we both really need those delicious carbs. She takes care of me when I need it most and sometimes I don’t think she even realizes how great she really is. She is everything a mother figure should be: encouraging, understanding, full of wisdom and a source of comfort.
She’s a sister.
Once again, this is a metaphor. I have my own sister at home that drives me completely insane. I honestly never thought I needed another one. But I was so very wrong. Emily fills in all the gaps my younger sister doesn’t have the ability to fill. Our journey through the complicated world of college has brought us through so much together. She’s seen and been through things my younger sister couldn’t understand until she goes through them. As my roomie and sister, Emily is my voice of reason, my personal fashion consultant and the person that knows me better than anyone else.
She’s a friend.
She is not just any friend. Emily is the friend that I know will be by my side on my overly dramatic wedding day. She’s the friend I’ll be able to call when I’m ready to quit my job and be a stay-at-home mom. She’s the friend that will plan my surprise 50th birthday party and make a toast that will make the entire room cry. (Okay, maybe she won’t do that. But a girl can dream.) Emily’s not going anywhere. And I thank God every single day for giving me a friend like her.
So HUGE SHOUT OUT to Emily--the only person brave enough to live with me.
And crazy enough to renew our lease.
