During my sophomore year of college I came to a sad but very real realization. I have no friends. And while I did have the occasional people I would go out to eat with, or the people I hung out with in my organizations, or even the people I lived with, I didn’t feel like these people were necessarily my friends. They were just other students I spent time with out of convenience; we said hi to each other on Ring Road, we would ask about each other's day, but it never went any further than that.

My sad realization came on a rainy day in winter quarter because obviously nothing says gloomy more than the sounds of rain accompanied by a dark gray skyline. I was having a really bad day and I really needed someone to talk to. So, I pulled out my phone and like a wave I never saw coming, it hit me, and it hit me pretty damn hard — I had no one to call. My mind raced trying to attach the names of the people I knew to the feelings that were so deeply convoluted inside of me, but I couldn’t find a single one. I remember lying in bed feeling so hopeless, not only because I was having a pretty terrible day, but also because I didn’t have anyone to help make it better. That was the first time I ever cried myself to sleep.

Now, I don’t tell you this story so you can feel bad for me or give me your pity, I share this with you because it’s a very real situation that I’m sure so many of us have been in. The thing about college is that it is so fast-paced that we forget to make genuine connections with people. And by the time we graduate, we realize we’ve met hundreds of new faces, but have failed to make any genuine relationships. And even though for me that day was an awful one, I’m thankful for it, because if it hadn’t been for that day, I wouldn’t have had the motivation to make the best friend that I have today.

So here are the top five reasons meeting my best friend was one of the best things to happen to me in college.

1. I have made genuine friendships.

Meeting my best friend made me realize that genuine connections with people are very possible. It was through his friendship that I discovered that what I wanted most from my friendships was less superficial relationships and more sincere interactions. I took what I gained from his friendship and applied it to the people I’d meet afterwards, and I can honestly say that I have gained some very intentional friendships.

2. I am always growing.

Whether it be deep late-night conversations or moments of frustration, I have learned more about myself being with my best friend than any class could have taught me. Having a best friend isn’t always easy, there’s a lot of obstacles one must face, including insecurities and self-doubt, but through it all, I have discovered my flaws and strengths, and I owe that all to him.

3. I have fun.

This one’s a no brainer. Having a best friend means having incredible adventures and an insurmountable amount of laughter. I haven’t gotten him to do the Carlton dance with me, but we’ll get there.

4. I have become less afraid of the future.

College is a wonderful but also a very scary time. We are in a constant state of stress from classes for most of it, and for the rest of it we are preoccupied with what we are going to be doing with our lives. Nothing is concrete which is absolutely terrifying if you’re a worrier like me. I don’t know if I’m going to have a job right after college, or if I’m going to want to go back to school, but what I do know is that I’ll have a someone to help me through all of it. And the simple act of knowing that our friendship is something I don’t ever have to question is more than wonderful, it’s healing.

5. I have someone to call.

We all have our bad days and we all have our great days. Having someone to share both with is not only a great feeling, it’s a necessary one. Whether that’s a partner, a sibling, a mentor or a friend, finding someone who was proud of me when I succeeded and who listened to me when I cried has made all the difference in my college experience.