It was on the Clemson campus, early September. I heard him, behind me on the way to Holtzendorff. Cracking jokes that made me automatically smile, jokes that my friends back home would make. I heard the kindness in his voice, even though when I saw him I could tell he had a brooding nature to him, harsh and unwelcoming. I knew I wanted to befriend him but I didn't know how. Eventually, we met in our chemistry lab, we sat next to each other and became lab partners. A few weeks in we exchanged numbers and began to talk. Just platonically and as friends, because we both had significant others.

He became my very best friend. I no longer ate lunch alone, I had someone to help me with my classes, and I was able to feel more at home on campus. He made it easier to transition into college life. As we got closer, we shared deeps talks. Talks of the stars, our lives back home, our significant others, our favorite things, and our deep fears in life. As our friendship grew, our significant others began to distance themselves, seemingly confused and uncomfortable with the platonic friendship in front of them.

A few months later, still best friends, we became single. As our friendship grew, naturally and beautifully, so is our love. It is like a rain forest. Constant surprise, magic, and beautiful life. He makes life better. Whether it was on accident or on purpose, we fell for one another. We grow together and help each other. We're not dependent on one another, but co-dependent in this life we live. It's young and new, beautiful and luscious, and I love him more than I've ever loved anyone. He fuels my days, and I hope I push him to be the very best he can be.

He's my soybean, and I hope he always will be.