I recently was sitting at dinner with my roommate Kara, thinking about what my next Odyssey article should be when she jokingly said I should write one about her. I came to a realization that she was right, I had already written an article about wrapping up my first year of college, that it was only right to write one about her. A thank you to my college freshman roommate, Kara, and our adopted roommate Olivia.

1. Being my first friend on campus

Let’s be real, either you become best friends with your roommate or never speak to them. There’s really no in between. I remember when we first got into contact over the summer. I was on vacation and was reading my rooming information and as I skimmed over your name, you popped up in Facebook messenger, and just like that we started talking and getting to know each other. Over the school year we’ve gotten to know each other, flaws and all.

2. Being my meal buddies

No one likes to eat alone in commons, and you guys saved me from never having to sit there and eat by myself. Also, throughout the year I never wanted to sit with anyone else really. We all spend as little time in commons as we can and always eat around the same times throughout the day. We’ve created a routine and never changed it even when the semester changed. I love how sometimes we had great, funny conversations or didn’t speak at all, and that was okay.

3. Validating Ideas

Sometimes I have really good ideas and some not so great. You guys were there to keep me in line and help me decide when I was on the edge about things and vice versa. Sometimes we were all just useless and instigators but all in good fun. Also, making it okay if I took five hour naps or just never wanted to get out of bed.

4. All of the inside jokes

My love for Shrek has grown quite a bit thanks to you two. I will forever think of you guys and Goofy whenever I hear "Hey Now You’re a Rock Star". You made college a lot more fun with quality puns and jokes. Okay, let’s be honest, puns are never really good, but it’s the mutual understanding that they will suck that makes them okay. Along with the fact that we make fun of each other for how we pronounce certain words differently, and how you New Yorkers think Michigan is fake.

5. Going through the lows

It’s hard to transition from being home to living with someone you barely know. Depression and anxiety press their way into your emotions and it’s hard to not have a support system. You guys were that. Even if you didn’t know what was fully going on you offered comfort. After this year, we know that we are all looking out for each other and if anyone is falling apart, even just a little, they know that we are there for them.

6. Celebrating the successes

With the lows, come the achievements. We shared in each others successful and cheered each other on. Or, even help each other with editing papers and throwing around ideas to start essays.

7. Being my second mom

Always making sure I told you were I was going and when I think I’d be back and vice versa. We made sure everyone was safe and we knew where that person was. Giving wise advice and some not so wise advice.

8. Putting up with me in general

I know at some points we needed our own space and we annoyed each other at points, but thank you for tolerating me.

9. Letting me drag you guys to events

Thank you for going to events with me that I didn’t want to go to alone, even if you weren’t fully interested in. Also for visiting me at work sometimes, even though you were only there for the food. Me, too.

10. Sharing with me

To the fridge, paper towel, curry powder and more. Between the two of us we had everything we needed and even extended the sharing to Olivia. Sorry Olivia we weren’t always up at night to let you use the microwave when you were hungry. Thank you for sharing parts of your lives with me.

The experience wouldn’t have been the same without you two and I can say that you guys are my best friends. I’ll miss you over the summer and I know we will be snapping each other all of the bad puns. Next year will be weird not living in close proximity of each other, but I hope we still hang out just as much, or even continue our meals together. Until next semester, I love you guys and we’re almost done!