When asked the question “Where is home for you?” I tend to not know how to answer. Moving more than 18 times has left me never feeling comfortable in one certain place. Whenever my family moved in the past I had never unpacked fully because I knew that in a couple years I would only move again, so what would be the point? I have always lived with this certain mentality until about seven months ago, when I moved into my dorm room at Iowa State University. I have always heard people telling me that the friends you make in college would be friends for life. In the back of my mind I always wished that would be true because the friends I have made throughout the years tend to not keep in touch. As cheesy as it sounds, I hoped entering my freshman year of college that I would meet people I became so close with that I could picture them attending my wedding. Now that I’m nearing the end of my first year of college I, thankfully, can emphatically say I made many lifelong friends. So, I would like to take some time to tell these very special people how much they mean to me.
First, I would like to thank my roommate for not being the crazy person people usually hear about in roommate horror stories. It is insane how alike we are, with a huge emphasis on us both being allergic to basically everything in existence. You are the main reason my transition into college went so smoothly. There are countless memories that I will always hold dear when thinking back on my freshman year of college such as: our Beyonce workout routine, our late night philosophical talks before bed and the reason we needed the code phrase, “Did you get the mail today?” Like any friendship we have gone through our ups and downs, but I will be forever grateful that I have met an amazing person such as you.
Next, I would like to thank the girls I call “Mom.” You have been there whenever I needed you, to our multiple vent sessions to when you comforted me during times of weakness. I can always count on you guys to be there for me. You guys are the reason I haven’t been so stressed in college because you made me get my feelings out instead of keeping them bottled in. So, I would like to give a big thank you to the girls who have made my stress causing migraines stop and who can constantly put a smile on my face.
Now I need to thank the two girls that are in the frat bus party group chat with me. You two are hands down the funniest people I have ever met in my life. There is never a dull moment when I am with you guys. There are probably 301 memories that I have shared with you both that I will cherish always. You have taught me more than I thought possible and you both have helped me grow as a person in college.
Finally, to the multiple sisters I have made by joining a sorority. My main reason for joining a sorority was for the sisterhood and that is exactly what I got. You all mean so much to me and I am so thankful that our pledge class is already so close. I am so excited to live with you all next year and for all the memories to come.
To the friends that I can now call family, thank you. Thank you for the memories, the laughter, and for giving me a place that I am now comfortable in and never want to leave. You guys are my home and I am so thankful for having you all in my life. I have come to the realization that home is not a physical place, but a state of mind filled with cherished memories.
