My friends are amazing. They are truly a wonderful, well-behaved group of both men and women. Take it that I have only known them since September of 2019, we have all grown close to one another from our time spent together. From all of our hangout sessions to times we eat dinner together, this group has a special place in my heart.

In order to understand how awesome my friends are, we need to take a few steps back. Back in August of 2019, maybe the second week after classes have begun is where it all begins. I was at a local church called Hill City that my RA had introduced a couple of guys on our floor and me too. A speaker had mentioned this event that was called "Freshman Retreat" which was happening the weekend of September 6-8th. I decided to sign up.

At this point in my life, I had barely known the three other guys on my floor that were coming along too, better yet everyone else going on the trip. It's road trip time-to table rock lake-and we leave in vans which were a little packed. The trip to the lake was only an hour's drive which was nice. As we arrive at our home for the weekend, I notice that there were small bunk beds that we would be sleeping in. I set my bags down and let the socializing begin.

I am a people person, I love talking to others and making new friends but I was a bit nervous to start a conversation with someone and I hadn't known why. As fast as the day was moving, I was meeting people left and right. From playing board games to having a group dance session or eating food, I knew that I was going to come out with some new friends.

I believe in was on Sunday the 8th where I knew I had a good community around me. We all sat next to one another at church and were all antsy because we all had a funfilled weekend. After the service was over, we all go to lunch with each other and mention how it was great to meet each other and that we should do more things together.

Since we are all college students, we tend to just hang out on campus: basketball games, dinner, and of course, watching movies.

It has been four months since we all met and it is safe to say that the group I met on that weekend is a group I want to stay in touch with even when we graduate. This group is supportive, helpful, caring and has a good sense of humor. I am glad to have met every single person that I did. I have made closer connections with this group than I have ever in my life.

Needless to say, I have found my friend group for freshman year. My crew is like none other. Some of us have handshakes, others have good comedy skills, but all of us have one thing in common and that is being welcome to others. I am very thankful for the memories I have made with this amazing crew and I cannot wait for what the future holds for us all.

This group of friends is the ones I can now call my family. We all take care of one another, just like a family.