Last February, I posted some information about myself on my college’s class of 2021 Facebook page in hopes of finding a roommate or at least some friends. After receiving a few responses from potential Ithaca College peers, I decided to message one girl named Maya and ask her what her major was.

The thing about seeking a roommate is that you will have lots of repetitive conversations with people asking things like “Where are you from?" “What is your major?” and “What do you like to do for fun?” It is rare to find someone where you both feel comfortable going below the surface-level of conversation.

I realized I had a real connection with Maya. The day after I initially messaged her, I hoped that we could talk again. But I was not sure how to start another conversation. I was sitting in world history class, when I glanced down at my phone and saw a message from her.

This was only the start of my friendship with Maya, who would agree to room with me only a month later. We moved into college six months after our first conversation. Before meeting in person, we had texted almost every day and FaceTimed a few times.

Maya and I were finally able to meet each other at our orientation. It was unbelievable that we had never met, because it felt like we had known each other our whole lives. We never ran out of things to talk or laugh about, and we spent almost every moment of those three days by each other’s side.

Flash forward to August, and we finally got to move into college together. We made our cozy dorm room our home, and explored on-campus clubs and off-campus life together.

Maya has become my best friend after only five months of knowing each other in person. I do not know what I did to deserve to find not only an amazing roommate, but also a best friend. She has been there for every moment, good and bad.

Thank you Maya for not hating me that one time I forgot the alarm to wake us up for our 8am. Or for being too loud when I woke up for my 9am, and you still had an hour left to sleep, or for being in the library so late every night. Thank you for all of the breakfast, lunch and dinner dates, dancing on every elevated surface with me, and singing duets even though you never know the words.

Even though our schedules do not always match up for us to spend a lot of time together, every day I look forward to seeing her and catching up on our days. I am so proud of all Maya has accomplished, and I am fortunate that I get to be her biggest fan.

I do not know how I got lucky enough to find my best friend the first semester of college, but I am glad that I did. Thank you to Maya for being the best roommate I could ask for, and here’s to many more semesters together!