The small brick house on the corner with the yellow door and matching porch swing. Two bicycles on the porch, a large backyard with a fire pit and an old shed, a tall white fence. Inside, a large set of windows that overlook the street, a kitchen painted red, six bedrooms, three baths. A home.

I have spent three months in this house, and I am thankful for it because it is allowing me to rediscover happiness.

I spent much of sophomore year of college lost. Lost in my majors, lost in the idea of what the future holds, lost in my thoughts, in my own mind. I secluded myself, I disappeared, and I withered away. This house has revived me, and here is why.

It has taught me how to adult, QUICKLY.

Choosing to live in an actual house as opposed to an apartment or dorm as a 19-year-old junior in college is intimidating. I barely see myself as an adult, and then all of a sudden I am paying a water, gas, electric, and internet bill. I have found myself in situations that I thought I wasn't going to have to deal with until ten years from now. Sometimes your house has a mouse problem, it almost floods (twice), and the washing machine breaks all in the same week. Shit happens, especially in an older house. Despite all of these individual quirks, these situations are what make the house a home, and I wouldn't change my experience for anything.

It has surrounded me with people that I love.

This house has given me five roommates. Five fearless, strong, powerful, independent women. To my three original Wayland dorm gals, my fellow Kanker Sisters and Ween, thank you for following through on a promise that we made to each other when we were small freshmen beans. The three of you are my day ones; you have been there through it all. I feel very lucky to have had the three of you by my side, and I am excited to continue moving forward through life with you all. To Hannah and Shley, the two courageous sophomores who were not too intimidated to live with four other girls whom you barely knew, the two of you are the final pieces that make our house a home. You both have brought new individuals, new experiences, and new light into my life, and I look forward to even more memories as a household with the both of you.

Our house has given me six other boys that live directly across the street. While some of you are a part of the original friend group that was created when we were freshmen, and some are new, you all make me feel safe, loved, and bring so much fun, laughter, and joy into my world I could burst.

For the individuals who are guests of our house, or for some who are honorary members of the house due to the amount of time you spend in our home, I am thankful for each and every one of you and love you all dearly. This home has brought more new people into my life than I could have ever imagined, my heart is so full.

It has given me so many glorious memories in just three months, and I cannot wait for more.

From the bonfires to the birthday celebrations, to the cooking and pie baking, to the late night hangouts, this house has changed me for the better. I can't even put into words how these first three months of this year have made me feel. Overjoyed, thrilled, excited, lucky, whole. This house has shown me how to truly live. James Madison University is my world, and thank you, college house, for being my Harrisonburg home.