It’s in college where you might meet your best friends, plan for your future dreams and grow confidently into your authentic self. Not all college students, however, are able to enjoy this journey with their roommate. I have been very fortunate in both of my years in college to be blessed with roommates who have become great friends and have been there for me. Whether I came into the room with a new major, or had some dramatic story to share, my roommates have been more than just people to live with. As I reflect on my sophomore year in college, I must say a big thank you to all my friends and those who made it a great year, especially my roommate!

Dear Sophia,

Needless to say, our dorm is our home. Right when I moved in, you were playing piano in our room, and it was lovely. I will always appreciate the moments when I would sit and read, journal, or “just be” in our windowsill while you played piano. I admire your talents so much.

Another musical gift is your singing abilities, which I am so fortunate to be a part of in choir. As a fellow tenor, I enjoyed sitting next to you. Maybe too greatly enjoyed, as we were voted, “Most likely to talk during choir”. What? Us? Couldn’t be. Ha, yeah, it really could be.

I knew you as a friend last year, but never did I imagine that you would become a friend for life. Thank you for listening to my dramatic rants that happen almost daily. You are very trustworthy and understanding. I am grateful to be able to confide in you and come to you asking for a logical answer. You helped me grow in my faith and confidence. Beyond the deep chats, you can make me laugh like no one else. Whether I walk in the room and am welcomed by you scaring me, which happens almost every day, or we are out on an adventure together, you can make me laugh so hard that I cry and the whole floor can hear.

Some of my favorite memories are when it was prom season and we hopped the bus to Minneapolis and tried on the sparkliest, most ostentatious gowns we can find. I enjoyed our photo shoots, painting and “smorley” nights, and our run to grab ice cream. Getting to know you better was just fun on its own! I have a deep appreciation for the friends I have; you are truly a blessing in my life.

I’m sensing that next year will be another great time together when I will get to know you even more and continue to realize throughout that journey how blessed I am to have a roommate who is also an amazing friend. I know you won’t cry when we say goodbye for the summer, so I’ll just cry twice, once for me and once for you! Thanks for being an amazing roommate!