Starting college can be one of the most exciting and the scariest times of a young person's life. There are many things to look forward to, including being independent, not having a curfew, and meeting lifelong friends, but there are also many aspects of entering college that can be a little daunting.
For me, sharing my space with another person was at the top of that list. As a neat freak, I was certain that I would end up with a slob or, worse, a roommate out of the many horror stories that I had heard over the years. I was not ready for knives under the bed or mold in the corners. Instead, I was one of the lucky ones. My petite, vegetarian, preppy roommate ended up being the perfect match for my tall, meat loving, t-shirt wearing self. Despite the odds, she’s my best friend and there are so many reasons why.
1. We go everywhere together.
No, that isn’t an exaggeration. We went the water fountain, the dining hall, parties, meetings, and even the bathroom together for the first few weeks of school. It just isn't the same without the other.
2. I know who all of her friends are.
It's not just her friends at school, either. We aren’t even from the same state and I can name all of her friends. I’ve probably talked to all of them in one way or another, whether it’s through FaceTime or Instagram. We have never met, but does it even matter?
3. We are constantly mean to each other.
I can’t go a single day without her abuse and I always dish it right back. We’re basically an old, married couple.
4. I know all of her tendencies and she knows mine.
I know how many cheese sticks she’s going to eat when she goes to the fridge and she knows how I’m going to act when I wake up from a nap.
5. As soon as people hear us talk, they label us as “too much.”
Speaking multiple sentences in a row in unison and finishing each other’s thoughts may be overwhelming for some, but I guess that’s just too bad for them. We can enjoy our own company.
6. She looks like my only friend.
Four out of five of my last Instagram posts feature my roommate, so do I even have other friends? I guess that it’s debatable.
7. I go to her for all of my advice.
From boy problems to the necessity of a shower for my hair, she is the first person who I turn to for a second opinion.
8. We share everything.
As soon as it enters the room, it’s fair game for both roomies, including jewelry, food, closets, shampoo, and whatever else we find necessary.
9. My enemy is her enemy.
If one of us doesn’t like another person, it’s probably for a reason. Whether it’s an ex-friend, an old love, or just a nuisance, that person is disliked by the whole room.
10. Honesty is the best and only policy.
If I look like I haven’t slept or showered in four days, throw soap at me until I fix the issue, don’t just smile and tell me that I’m looking “fresh.” I need to know about that tear in my pants or the lipstick on my teeth before I see people who I don’t live with.
11. All of the chores become shared.
We do our laundry together, wash the dishes together, and share the blame for Christmas lights and candles (whoops). On busy weeks, we help the other out and take on all of the chores. Thanks for folding my clothes, roomie. I’ve got you covered for next week.
12. She’s the only person who I share my bed with.
Yes, her bed is only three feet away, but when looking at old pictures and searching out cute boys online, three feet is too far away. I’ll make room for one more.
13. We write each other notes for every test, quiz, or weekend apart.
Our wall is filled with sticky notes of every color containing jokes and good luck. It’s quite the sensory overload.
14. She is the sister who I never had.
She’s my roommate and soulmate wrapped up all in one and I wouldn’t have it any other way. There is no one else who I could confidently say that I will live with for the next three plus years and be happy about it.
Roomie, thanks for being a hand to hold and a shoulder to lean on when I need it most. Candids wouldn’t be the same with anyone else in the picture beside me and Furman would be a different world. Thanks for wearing matching socks, for bringing me coffee during midterms, and for being #roomiegoals. You're just too much. I couldn’t live with anyone else.
