So far, college has been an exceptional experience. Every day I get to learn from brilliant professors alongside motivated students. The week days are packed with class and different extra curricular activities, from field hockey practice to sorority meetings to volunteering, and the weekends are filled to the brim with studying, socializing, and sleeping. Now, each of these days has a different mood to it. Some days are better than others. Some days never seem to end. But the person that is undoubtedly there at the end of the day is my roommate.

I hit the roommate jackpot in my freshman year when I found Sarah. She is sweet, motivated, and extremely supportive. We found each other on a Facebook page created for our class at Centre College and immediately hit it off. We Facebook chatted for a while (lame, I know) and then soon she was my best friend on Snapchat. We had the opportunity to meet in person during the summer before our first year. After meeting, it was clear that we had the same sense of humor and that we would get along swimmingly. Move-in day freshman year was stressful, but I remember thinking that Sarah was the best; I could not wait to take on the school year with her.

I foolishly thought we would be connected at the hip. We were not. She played basketball and had girls on her team that she would hang out with. Sarah and I got along well, but I wanted to be closer right off the bat than we were. For the first week, I felt lonely, because I did not have my friend group established and Sarah did. Slowly, I found my niche. Soon Sarah and I spent more time together in the room. She had developed her own friend group with her team, but she started inviting me to meet and hang out with them. I would introduce her to my friends as well and she was very welcoming towards them.

Within a few weeks, we had a great relationship, because not only did we have similar personalities, but we also have similar living habits. Sarah and I worked well as roommates, because even though we had separate friend groups, I liked her friends and she liked mine. I was able to open up my friend group more because of her, and I am beyond thankful for that.

Every day, when we got back to the room, we would ask each other how our days were and then nap together. Roomies that nap together bond together. Because we spent lots of time in the room studying and Netflixing, we got to know each other really well. Proximity helps develop relationships faster, and I was lucky that I lived with such a laid-back and kind person.

Sarah always knew when I was sad just by the my body language when I came in the room. She would send me good luck texts right before an exam and hug me as soon as she saw me. She would comfort me when I cried over boys, academics, or just life in general. Sarah always knew what to say and when to say it. She was my therapist at college and she always gave the best advice. I felt like I was able to do the same for her as the year went on. By the end of April, I started to realize that Sarah was definitely one of my best friends.

I do not give out the title of best friend easily. So when I had the realization that my roommate and I could be best friends without having to be together 24/7, I ecstatically told Sarah how much I loved and appreciated her.

Due to some complications with rooming, Sarah and I did not end up rooming together for our second year. I miss her all the time, because she helped shape my first year at college. I am thankful that I see her around campus almost every day and with that comes a big hug and goofy smile.

My roommate this year is one of my sorority sisters, Kelly. People always mix Kelly and me, up because we look very similar. Deciding to room with Kelly was a good choice for me, because I did not know her well going into it, but I knew that we got along. She pushes me socially and academically. Like Sarah, Kelly enjoys napping with me. We can share clothes and talk about anything from serious to silly things. She is strong and makes me feel like I am strong too. She and I have laughing fits late at night. Kelly gives me sage advice and does the same for my friends when they come over. She is open and has such a fun personality. Even though the school year is not even halfway through, I know that she and I will continue to grow together.

I do not know how I lucked out with getting a great roommate both of my years at college so far. I am fortunate that I have had two helpful souls help me through the turbulence of Centre. And I just want them to know how thankful I am to both of them for getting me through it all.

Thank you, Sarah, for eating white cheddar Cheetos with me like they are crack. Thank you, Kelly, for being so hospitable towards me right off the bat and helping me get settled this year. Thank you, Sarah, for motivating me to get out of bed and face the world when I felt very low. Thank you, Kelly, for listening to me rant and then have the will to stand up for me. Thank you both for loving me and encouraging me every day. Thank you both for making each of our small dorm rooms feel like a home.