I've heard horror stories about awful roommates. I've also heard people talk about their roommates as people whom they simply co-exist with. I feel incredibly blessed to have found roommates that are neither horrible nor just okay; I think my roommates are amazing. I would like to thank them for all the great things they've done for me.

So, thank you to my roommates for...

1. Fumbling through the beginning of college with me.

Thank you for bracing all the firsts with me. During all the moments we weren't quite sure what to do, it was nice to know that I at least had you guys to figure things out with. There were the awkward welcome week activities, figuring out where our classes were, the first few assignments we asked each other for input on. Then there were also things like our first political rallies and off-campus apartment tours. You were the first people I met the morning we all moved in in the fall, and you've been the most important since then. I look forward to tackling the rest of my college years with you.

2. Being good roommates.

I'll admit that I was scared that living with you guys would be hard. I was scared that you would be slobs or obnoxious or inconsiderate, leaving messes and making too much noise. I was also pretty scared that sharing one bathroom between us would be impossible. Fortunately, you guys are none of those things I was scared of. And we've got the bathroom routine down to practically a science. There are no other girls I'd rather share an apartment with.

3. Taking on the city with me.

None of us are Chicago natives, so we've gotten to discover this city together. I can't tell you how much I love our walks through the park(s), our thrift shopping sprees in Wicker Park, or our trips to Lincoln Park to the zoo or Insomnia Cookies. Together, we've found great clothes, great food, and figured out CTA transportation. That's basically all anyone needs to get by in the Windy City. Without you two, I would've spent a lot more time looking like a tourist and getting lost.

4. Being there for every breakdown.

I had an especially hard time transitioning to being away from home, and I don't think I'll ever be able to thank you both enough for seeing me through that emotional storm. You've been there through the homesickness, the anxiety, relationships troubles, conflicts with friends, frustrations with classes ... everything, honestly. You've been ready with the ice cream and motivational speeches right from the get-go. We've created a support system of venting and advice sharing throughout this year. That support has been vital to creating a sense of home away from home, so thank you.

5. Watching all of Friends with me.

Or anything on Netflix for that matter. I remember how quiet we all were at first, afraid to be the first blaring music or binge-watching our favorite tv shows. I remember asking if you guys wanted to watch "Friends," and it just became part of our weekly routine. We went through Monica, Chandler, Ross, Rachel, Phoebe and Joey's drama as we got closer to each other and dealt with our own.

6. Accepting that I’m Monica.

It didn't take long after we started watching Friends together to designate which character we each were. It was unanimously decided that I am Monica because of my OCD-like compulsion to keep our apartment clean. I have been the one to designate chores and urge you guys to participate in "cleaning nights." Thank you for laughing endearingly as I say, "Thank you," to any of our friends that happen to compliment our cleanliness. I take serious pride in it. I know that it's not the most fun part of my personality, but thank you for realizing that it benefits us all.

7. Understanding my hatred of gloomy days and Sundays.

It's so simple but it's not something everyone gets; sunshine = automatic good day. Cloudy, rainy, gloomy day? Not so much. And Sundays? They always seem to require extra effort to make them bearable, sometimes nice. Thank you for understanding these little things. Thank you, also, for always finding something fun for us to do on sad Sundays.

8. Making me make friends.

I'm an introvert, so I'm happy alone or in small groups, like us three. But thanks to you guys, I've made some great friends. You've introduced me to all the cool people you've met. You've also forced me to go out when, left to my own devices, I probably would've stayed in. Thank you for making me get out of my shell once in awhile. Thank you for expanding our group of three to make our adventures even more memorable.

9. Respecting our different tastes in music.

This one's self-explanatory. We don't all necessarily love the same music, but we accept those differences. At the least, you guys don't give me crap for listening to my Tim McGraw and Sam Hunt Pandora stations while I'm in the shower. You just play The 1975 or one of your other bands, some of which have grown on me. So thank you also for expanding the range of music that I know, and okay, maybe like.

10. Embracing the people I love.

It means so much to me that you guys have welcomed every visitor I've had. You've taken one of my best friends as your own, snap chatting and texting him. You've gotten close with my boyfriend (pictured above) to the point where he'll snap or text one of you if he can't figure out why I'm MIA. You've let me tag along as part of your family at one point or another, and you've shared your own friends with me. I feel like we have this even bigger network of support through each of our families, and I don't think everyone can say that about their roommates.

11. Giving me a spot on each of your beds.

We don't nap together, like Joey and Ross, but I know that I'm welcome to go and sit at my end of either of your beds (and you're welcome to sit on mine). I'm thankful for this because we all get to be comfy during our venting or homework sessions. To me, this seems like the kind of thing I'd get to do if I had sisters, which is an experience I appreciate since I have two brothers.

12. Always making me feel better.

From throwback dance parties, nonsensical, sleepy ideas, and silly songs to a simple group text about the people you’re on the elevator with, you guys make me smile every day. Thank you for constantly making me laugh, especially when I'm upset.

13. Sharing my crazy dreams.

We go to an art school because the career goals we have for ourselves are considered crazy by most people. Our majors are fashion business, music, and creative writing, and I love that we're so diverse and creative. Thank you for sharing your ideas and goals and allowing me to share mine without any judgement. Thank you for reading my pieces when I'm stuck and need feedback. Thank you guys for not being normal, and for believing in my talent the same way that I believe in yours. (Shameless promotion for my roomie's first single here).

14. Being yourselves.

You’re both driven, intelligent, independent, weird, and kind young women. You’re literally Rachel and Phoebe. I can’t wait to watch my Rachel become really successful in fashion while my Phoebe has number one songs on the radio. Thank you, Rachel, for helping me pick out my clothes and Phoebe for making songs up about your pets. Thank you both for being incredible individuals and helping me embrace who I am too. Also, thank you for the awesome watercolor unicorn that now hangs on our fridge.

15. For being my best friends.

This is really what it comes down to. You’ve accepted and put up with me and encouraged me and cried with me. You've listened to me talk way too much, you've given me advice with my best interest at heart, and you've made me feel like I belong in a place that seemed extremely foreign and intimidating at first. All of this has happened in less than nine months. Thank you for being such great friends in such a short amount of time. We may have been thrown together by chance, but I truly believe it happened for a reason. I needed you guys in my life, and I honestly can’t imagine it without you now. Thank you for being my Rachel and Phoebe.