Finding a really great roommate is super tough stuff. You don’t want a moocher that steals all your food, a slob who leaves half-full bowls of Ramen everywhere, or the roommate that pretends you don’t exist and takes up the entire room with pictures of their cats. None of my college roommates have been like any of those, but it took me three roommates to find one that not only matches with my own personality, but she has even become one of my very best friends.
Freshman year was a difficult time for me— my family had just left my beloved hometown of Florence, AL and relocated to a tiny town in Florida right as I was starting my freshman year of college at Faulkner University. I was trying to find my place at Faulkner, and I was worried about making friends that would help me in my walk with God and encourage me daily to be a better person. Overall it was a very lonely year for me, and I prayed constantly for God to send me just one friend that I could grow close to and bond with both spiritually and emotionally. God answered my prayer the spring semester, and sent me Ansley. Though the circumstances of our beginning friendship weren’t ideal, we both found a friend in each other when we needed it the most. I was a friend for her when her heart was hurting, and though she may not know it, she pulled me out of a dark hole when I was all alone. (Tip: Buying someone a Dairy Queen Blizzard is a great way to make friends. Hello, what does ice cream not do?! Seriously.)
It wasn’t hard to grow close with Ans, because she’s just like that. She has a huge, beautiful heart and though she hates it sometimes, it’s one of her best qualities. People open up to her without question because she cares. We got along great, and it wasn't long at all until we were hanging out daily watching OTH. So the rest of freshman year we ate too much McDonald’s (Because she craves it at 2:00 a.m. regularly), laid on the football field past curfew just to check out the view of the sky (Sorry Peggy), cried when necessary, and laughed until our sides clenched up.
Finishing up our sophomore year as roommates, it’s been a crazy, fun, adventure.She has been so much more than a roommate. She’s been a therapist, a study buddy, a human diary, a party packed into a tiny little blonde girl, and most importantly my sister in Christ. We’ve both had our ups and downs this year, especially this semester, but she’s stood by me when a lot of my friends turned their backs. We hold each other accountable, and encourage one another to grow spiritually, and to have a roommate like that is all I ever needed.
It’s been a fantastic year and I almost hate to see it end because I won’t be living with my soul sister for the next 3 months. We've eaten out way too much, spent more time watching Netflix than studying, danced our anger out, and even adopted an adorable kitten named Zora Brynne. Ansley was exactly the friend I needed at Faulkner, and I am so incredibly thankful for her friendship. So thanks, Ansley, for making me crave San Marcos Salsa on the daily, for the late night throwback jam sessions, the bible studies, talking me into getting a kitten, screaming until I kill a bug for you, and for teaching me how to REALLY roll my eyes like a true Drama Queen. Thank you for talking me out of my head, for listening to my problems, being the best cuddle buddy around, and for always standing by my side. I can honestly say I don’t know where I would be without you. God blessed me with more than just a tolerable roommate— He blessed me with a hilarious, dorky, adventurous, beautiful, life-long friend, and I am forever thankful.
