Dear Ben,
When we first moved in together at the beginning of the year we were both nervous and praying that this kid I suddenly had to sleep in the same room with was somewhat normal, not going to kill me in my sleep, and hopefully a decent human being.
We spent the first couple days and weeks getting used to sharing a room with someone we had just met and trying to get the room in some sort of order while making it seem as home-like as possible.
Those first few months were strange for both of us, we didn’t know anyone outside of this room and even then we barely knew each other. Dinners were spent just the two of us, sitting a table failing miserably at small talk and trying to get to know each other a little better.
Even our room was clearly divided, split right down the middle between my half and yours, desperately attempting to contain ourselves to our own sides and not even daring to cross that middle line.
As time went on, that line started to disappear, we became more comfortable with each other and started being more than just roommates. You got used to me sitting in my hammock playing banjolele, just as I was getting used to you staying up until 3 a.m. every night to make sure you had that 4.0 at the end of the semester.
We started bonding in true fashion and started branching out of our room and into the guys in our hall. You were always more open and friendly with the guys, I didn’t even know anyone’s name until it was far too late to ask. You helped me learn though, and we slowly but surely started making friends.
Our once quiet room quickly became the hot spot among our group of friends. Any chance we had, people were in here playing "Smash Bros.," and next thing you know it went from you and me to a whole group and a whole family really. More importantly, you and I became like family.
Our empty room filled with screams and laughter, the screams weren’t always friendly, nothing ever is during "Smash Bros.," but the laughter always was. We’ve had our share of laughs, our share of mental breakdowns, and more than our fair share of late-night existential crises.
If you had told me at the beginning of the year that my roommate would become one of my very best friends at college, I wouldn’t have believed you. There was no way that this guy with the Philadelphia Eagles rug and an unhealthy obsession for Cinnabon coffee would ever last, but here we are at the end of the year getting ready to move back in with each other in the fall.
Looking back I really don’t think my freshman year of college would have been anywhere near as memorable or fun had I not met you. We’ve made a lot of memories this year, some that are definitely going to last the rest of my life, while others are a little hazy around the edges but still memorable nonetheless.
So thank you Ben for making our first year of college so full of love and great times. I literally can’t even imagine nor would I want anyone else for a roommate in my freshman year.
Here’s to three more bud, I’ll see you around.
--Noah
