On a day that appeared to be any other rainy day, I met my best friend. It was the start of freshman year of college; I entered college with wonder, and I did not know what to expect. I had no idea that I would ever meet someone who was so much like me.

I walked into the science lab classroom the first Tuesday morning of classes. It was an 8:00 a.m. As soon as I stepped through the door, I grabbed a free seat at a four-person table. There were three other education majors sitting at my table. There was an Asian girl who regularly talked to the girl that I was familiar with at the table. The entire class waited for our teacher, who was nowhere in sight. Some of my classmates were notified through email that all lab classes were cancelled for the first week of school. We all excitedly stood up to leave, before I realized that I would have nothing to do but sit in my room for a few hours on a rainy day. The Asian girl and I started talking on our way out, when I came up with an idea…

She hung out with me, took a nap in my room before math class, and the rest is seriously history. We discovered our numerous commonalities that are unique to most individuals, and we not only had one aspect in common but countless. The quote that describes our friendship perfectly is written by C.S. Lewis: “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What? You too? I thought I was the only one.’” It was fate for us to meet; I could not imagine college without her. She is my college sister, and is my other me.

We were fated to be best friends, for no words are needed. Neither of us need to vocally declare that we are best friends; it is simply known by both of us. Since we met, we were like two peas in a pod, rarely leaving each other’s side. The first semester, she became a part of my Hamilton home, practically a resident to my residence hall due to the amount of time she spent there with me. She walked on the street in the dark with her mom on her phone for me. Second semester, we decided to try something new by hanging out in her residence hall for a change; there, we made friends with individuals from her building, and I had my share of nights, walking home in the dark.

I have so much energy and drive to attend as many fun campus events as possible, it is rare to find someone who can keep up with me. Angelina tagged along with me to those events so that I would not have to go alone. It would have not been the same going by myself. Sharing moments creates happiness. I try my best to get her out of her room and to be physically active. Even if she does not appreciate it, I know her mom does.

Although neither we nor our friendship are the same as we were freshman year, our bond has only strengthened. We have grown as individuals. We have less in common, but that proves how resilient our friendship is. We do not enable anything to come between us. You and I have been roommates for the last two years, and I look forward to being your roommate again this year. A friendship like ours is everlasting. Angelina, I hope you know how much I appreciate you and how thankful I am that I met you. You helped me become a Christian; I would not be the same person without you. College would have never been the same without you. Our memories together, over the past three years are priceless.

I am grateful to have you in my life and would not rather have anyone else as my best friend. I love you for who you are, despite our similarities and differences. I love your innocence, your optimism, and even your laziness. When I drag you to a dance or to karaoke, it is because I want to create astonishing college memories and to have someone to share them with. That someone is you. Here’s to at least one more year, and hopefully many more.

It all started on a rainy day like any other…and there is no end in sight.