When leaving for college, it’s often difficult to imagine life without the people who have made it incredible thus far: our friends and our family. Thankfully, most college freshmen have someone there for them behind the scenes when the parents leave and the tears begin to roll. To my wonderful roommate, here is a list of thank you's I haven’t quite gotten around to saying quite yet.

Thank you for listening to me. When I am frightened, uncertain, and doubtful about my college experience, I know that at the end of the day, I will be walking into a dorm room to another college student going through the exact same things. You always know what to say to calm my nerves, and you also know what not to say when I just need some time to myself. Also, thank you for listening to me even when you don’t want to! I know it’s difficult because we come in and out like revolving doors. Every time I have to go to class you’re still asleep, but I really do appreciate you understanding when I need to use my hair dryer at 8 am. You are so generous for putting up with me and I thank God for you every single day and night.

Thank you for respecting me. Not once do I ever have to worry about my things going missing, having time to study in my dorm no matter what time it is, or going out with some friends from class. I am so grateful that you understand that while we are incredibly close, we don’t have to share everything. You and I have such a special relationship that I wouldn’t trade for the world, and I’m so glad that I can say it’s because of trust and respect. I trust that you will respect me, and I promise to always do the same for you. At the end of the day, no matter who we’ve been hanging out with or what we’ve been doing, I will always come home to you and show you respect!

Thank you for loving me. I know that I am a difficult person to live with; I leave dirty clothes everywhere, my side of the room is constantly a disaster, and there are always Easy Mac cups all over the place. No matter what our room looks like, you continue to show me love and affection, along with a broom and a dustpan. I always look forward to seeing you at the end of every day because I know that I’ll always come home to an environment of love and compassion. Not once have you snapped at me; you are always honest with me in the best way possible and I can’t even begin to tell you how much that means to me. You are the true definition of a real friend!

Roomie, you are so important to me. Even though it is sometimes difficult to make living in a room that is the size of a closet a fun time, you never fail to be positive. I am honored to call you not only my roommate, but also my best friend. Without you, my life would be drastically different. I would end my days without your uplifting support, radiant smile, and contagious laugh. I want you to know that you influence the mood of my day more than you know, and I am truly grateful for everything that you do for me. This is a relationship that will last a lifetime, and I can’t wait to one day introduce my future family to the person that helped me survive college and tell them of our adventures. I cannot wait to make even more memories with you over these next few years! Caroline, you are the best roommate ever and I wouldn’t trade you for the world! Thank you for being my rock in this crazy, unfamiliar life; I mean it with all my heart when I tell you that I couldn’t do any of this without you here by my side. You are so loved by me, and you always will be.