At the beginning of the summer when I moved in with two random strangers, I never would've known that it would be the adventure of a lifetime and also some of the worst days of my life. My kid roommate, who had to grow up too fast, was like the little brother I never had and my other roommate, who tries to convince everyone that she is grown up but really wants to be a kid again, is the best friend I will always need. I can't wholeheartedly say I know everything about them when we have only lived together for about four months, but I can say that they have taught me a huge lesson.

I have watched them both go through things no person should ever really have to. On nights when I come home from my friends' house I see this beautiful young woman, that I am privileged enough to call my friend, crying and literally beating herself up over a guy that already does that to her. I see her cry and cry over a one-sided relationship and I also see guys fall all over her, but not the one she wants. I ask myself day after day "when will she know her worth?"

The little brother I never had has already lived enough lives for everyone in BR (Big Rapids, MI). He has been in car accidents, practically has no family and he somehow makes it. I know he has a court date when his grandma comes to town and he is usually wearing something of a collared shirt and khaki shorts. The fact that this is his life makes me happy of the role that I play in it and that I can be there for him whenever possible.

Seeing two people I care about deeply go through the pain of having a loving and normal life just ripped away from them made me realized how lucky I am. I'm lucky to not have encountered anything like that before coming to school or to be stuck in a relationship that is like a broken record.

I've learned from watching these two grow and change that loving yourself is more important than I thought it could be. You have to love yourself before you can love anyone else, before you can take steps toward a better personal health and well being and definitely before you decide to make any big life choices.

I used to think I never loved myself, but then I learned that loving yourself isn't about having a size two waist line, it's about being there for yourself even when no one else wants to be.

So now that you've shown me the way to loving myself, go and love yourself the way I love you.

Dedicated to Alicia and Tyler.