I grew up in a small town with a best friend who treated me with a lack of compassion. Seven long years of being someone's "side kick" was a true kick in my side. The friendship was certainly a love-hate relationship that left me feeling lost and alone because for seven years in my earliest childhood, I had been taking care of someone with no love in their heart. That was where my enormous heart began to learn to care for others in a way most little girls (and most people) would have never experienced. I was in the seventh grade searching for someone to accept me as I was then and grow with me to become who I am now. I did not find that person, needless to say, and the struggle to find friends overwhelmed me.

I never quite understood why everyone was so nice to me and said hello to me, but never wanted to spend time with me. I was lost and confused, coming home in tears with hopes that my mother could fix me because I felt oh-so broken. She would sit me down and wipe my tears with a hurting heart. Her words shined beauty to my stubborn mind and were ever-so tender to my heart as she spoke kind words of hope and encouragement. She reminded me of the perfect plan that was written by the one who overwhelmed my young soul.

I went through middle school as if I lived in a fog and I could see the sunlight and the darkness in everyone around me and I held the strong, envious feeling of wanting to so badly fit in. I changed myself and made myself become someone I never expected to be at such a young age. The words that were once spoken to me as a young child, continued to run through my head and drag my level of confidence down. I once again felt undesired and alone, like a pebble in a fish bowl, slowly losing its color and shape.

Friendship was all I ever prayed for and I went through phases of changing myself to mold into each group I wanted to be like. High school was not very different. I spent my freshman year searching for my place to flourish and find never-ending friendship. I had an answered prayer sweep me off my tired and hopeless feet when I had the opportunity to sing in an optimistic choir, but that one precious year left me and I moved on to greater opportunities to better my future.

One small private school and two best friends later, I was in my own earthly Heaven. I walked into my new school with the mindset and attitude that I wouldn't try to change myself, but instead, find myself. I became involved and discovered my passions and interests which gave me a sense of contentment. I found my flaws and weaknesses in pieces of everyday life as I struggled with testing and studying habits. I had searched for so long to find friendship and kindness and it was provided so sweetly, but too soon taken away again.

The bittersweet moment of my graduation day took me by surprise as I cried tender and painful tears for the precious memories I had made and the incredible support I had received in two years time. I swallowed my pride and was accepted into college and that terrified me. I had the feeling of uncertainty that I wouldn't make friends and I would never have the experiences of pure joy ever again. The prayers came tumbling in and I walked onto campus with a hopeful heart that I would find friendship that my father spoke so fondly of when he reminisced about the good ole' days.

The friends came one after another and overwhelmed my soul with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These fruitful friends of mine took me by surprise and created so many memories that I began to have trouble capturing each sweet moment in the making. I never would have expected to feel so loved by so many people. The casual smiles and greetings from strangers allowed me to truly appreciate the people who entered my life so quickly. Patience was most certainly a virtue in my thirteen years of school, but the wait was oh-so worth the wonder. If I could do it all over again, I would have done it the same way because I now find joy in why I was waiting. I was waiting for beautiful friends like you.