They say that about 90 percent of college students do not end up ending college with the roommate they started with, my situation was no different. It was spring semester of 2015, I had just transferred back to Mount Aloysius College after my semester elsewhere. I was told I would be living on the first floor of Ihmsen Hall, after previously spending two years on the second floor. I was not thrilled to be living on the first floor after avoiding it for two years but I was told as soon as something became available on the second floor I would receive notice from residence life. I was also originally told that I would be living alone as the spring semester generally has less enrollment. When I arrived plans changed, it turned out that I would actually be getting a roommate who I later found out was named Samantha. I had no clue what the first floor entailed or how it would differ and I had no clue who my roommate would be.
The day before classes Samantha had arrived, I immediately noticed her adoration for the color pink. We got to talking and I got to know her a bit. A few weeks went on and I was told that something on the second floor had opened up, but I decided that Samantha was more than just an “OK roommate” I loved the person she was. We got along, but more importantly we understand each other. I can truly say that no one on campus knows her the way I do, and she has such a beautiful heart and personality that I often question how I got so lucky. Of course she was not my first college roommate but I am so happy that she will be my last.
Samantha appreciates life for what it is and truly has a passion for so much in this world that I will not even begin to touch on. Like myself, she is involved on campus which makes it hard to see much of each other during the day because between work, clubs, and school both of us are busy to say the least. She respects herself, and she respects me as a person. You either love her or you do not, and if you do not it is because you do not know her, and that is your loss.
Luckily, Samantha and I happen to have the same major though our graduation years differ. Every night before bed we spend talking to one another about our days, venting or just laughing until we cannot breathe. On days where I cannot catch a break she makes me feel 10x better and always offers a helping hand, she just gets me. We spend some weekends watching "Grey's Anatomy" together, eating Chinese food or listening to Pandora and doing homework.
We do not always agree, but we are mature enough to communicate and work it out. I did not think Sam would enjoy living with an RA, it is not always easy but she never complains and I am so thankful for that. My college experience would not be as wonderful as it is without her. We are not roommates who do everything together but our friendship goes beyond just being roommates. I am super blessed to have her as a roommate, friend, and advice giver and I am excited to be going into my last year of college with her by my side.
So here is my open letter to my college roommate because unlike many college residents I enjoy my roommate and I would not trade her for the world. I am happy she is who she is and I would of course like to thank Mount Aloysius’ residence life department for making it all possible! It is so funny the way things work out, not always how we plan, but always what is meant to be.
