Masks seem to be the biggest accessory for people today. I started noticing them more and more once I stepped into the life of a college freshman, wondering why everyone seemed so fake. By "everyone" I mean only a small amount of people, but the masks were so extreme they could not be ignored.

I grew up in a house that gave us the courage to be real to ourselves, and to not rely on anyone else's judgment. So, when I started seeing all of these painted faces, I realized how exhausting that must be. To restrain yourself to a single expression and person, afraid to truly be who God intends you to be. I decided that wasn't my cup of tea.

Naturally, as the semester moved forward, I met more people, discovering that not everyone's mask held the same weight. I found several who weren't so afraid to be honest, to be real. I've discovered that this honesty has lead to better friendships...honestly. The people I have met now look back and laugh at the ridiculous first impressions we all had of each other. Our poor attempts to "fit in" failed miserably, and lead us to form greater and sturdier friendships.

We live in a world of "I'm good"s and forced smiles because we're too afraid that we might need to extend a hand to someone. We might need to sacrifice a little time to have a conversation with them. We're so afraid to open ourselves, even just a little, in order to embrace the beautiful encounters that pass us every day.

A lot of the times, honest friends are hard to find because no one wants to upset anyone. But, honestly, finding the people who love you enough to tell you when you've made a mistake are the real treasures. Here's to old, new, and real friendships.

Always,

Frances McKinley