I got baptized at a very late age. For almost every summer since I was 10, I attended a Serbian church camp where I came to meet and get to know many other Serbian-Americans just like me.

Here at camp, I met some of my closest friends that will stick by my side until the day I die. One of those friends is my Kuma, Jelena. We first met when I was 10 years old, and at the time I didn't even know she would soon become my Kuma.

I was baptized at the age of 16. It was a choice I made and I will never regret it. I'm glad Jelena was at my side to make a bond hard to find elsewhere.

Regardless of all the fun we've had with our other friends, my Kuma and I have some funny memories together at camp. One memory includes a frog, a window, and an ill fate to the little amphibian found in the church gardens.

Whenever I feel spiritually lacking, I know I can call up Jelena and ask for some advice.

We've been through a lot. One of my favorite memories with Jelena is during the summer we were camp counselors after years of being campers. We snuck out in the middle of the night and did a McDonald's run with a few other counselors. We ate our meal on the church grounds and that moment is forever engraved in my mind.

Even though we barely see each other now, every time we run into each other it's like nothing has changed. She's like a sister to me and I'm thankful for her.

From the sleepovers to college visits, I can't wait to see what my Kuma and I do next.