The meaning of actually being a triplet is something unknown to many. Not many people can even imagine the reality of it, because there are so few of us out there. But I am living it. As crazy as it sounds, being a triplet has better shaped me into the person I am today, and I could not have imagined my life any different. I never truly appreciated the special connection I hold with my siblings until I was really on my own away at college. My world was turned upside down at first, and I needed to figure out how to make it in the world on my own.

I had been prepared for this moment in my life; when we would each go down a different path and follow the passions we have been holding onto for so long. I chose to attend Purdue’s nursing program, while my brother chose engineering at Penn State, and my sister chose speech language pathology at the University of Illinois.

Growing up, the three of us were always very independent. Both my parents were absolutely amazing in never comparing us to one another and allowed us to choose our own activities. But at times, competition was inevitable—both my sister and I participated in the same sport and my brother, sister, and I all aspired to do extremely well in school. While we always helped each other with schoolwork, there were times I felt jealous at how easy certain things came to them, and comparison was hard to ignore when you were in the same grade level. As hard as it sometimes was, I’m so grateful to have grown up the way I did. I don’t know anything different than going through some of the biggest milestones at the same time as my two amazing siblings. After graduation, however, I knew branching out to three separate big ten universities was probably the best decision we could have made.

I now am two weeks into my second semester of freshman year and I reflect back on first semester. First semester was extremely difficult, but at the same time, so exciting. I was challenged in ways that were not only intellectually, but emotionally, and physically. I was able to overcome the difficulties on my own however, and things began to get better.

I am forever grateful to be a triplet and continue to grow up with the two people who know me better than anyone else does. Thank you Marissa and Justin for being my biggest role models, therapists, and best friends. The underlying symmetry between us is something rarely known to anyone but serves as the anchor of who I am and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without both your endless love and support. Even though we aren’t physically together during most of the year now, I know you’re both always still there for me and nothing can break the beautiful connection we have.

One of my favorite quotes is: “Home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling.” At first I had a difficult time making Purdue my home; but after time, I began to feel the familiar feeling of “home” and gained comfort with my amazing new friends here at Purdue. It was so similar to the feeling I had always felt when I was with my siblings, and that’s when I knew this scary new place really was my home and I loved it as much as I love my wonderful siblings.