I think it’s normal to want to be friends with people who are similar to you. We’re naturally attracted to people who have similar interests because we feel like we can relate to them and they are easier to talk to. We make friends to help us not feel so alone and to make us feel like we are a part of something and loved.

Last semester, I made the decision to live with a girl I barely knew and all of her closest friends. I had, had a rough few semesters due to roommates and with my best friend graduating/abandoning me, I felt like I was in need of a fresh start. And so I took a leap of faith.

When I stalked my soon-to-be new roommate online, I was instantly nervous. She seemed happy and bubbly and frankly the complete opposite of everything I was. When I moved in, I saw her colorful clothes, knitting basket and a picture of her blond and perfect looking family on the wall. It was a stark contrast to my closet full of neutrals, Darth Vader piggy bank and travel map.

When I finally met Hannah she was everything that I thought she would be, which was the exact opposite of me. She was small, blonde, loud and always smiling. She loved theatre, dancing and could have full conversations with complete strangers. She’s the kind of person that people want to be around and always makes you feel like you’re home.

We were completely different. We still are completely different. But when I’m quiet and shut down, she talks to fill the silence. When we meet new people, she keeps the conversation up and flowing. And when I try to disappear inside myself, she pries me open and makes me talk.

She’s not the girl that goes out to all the parties or the girl that has thousands of followers on social media. She doesn’t go on dates every night and she doesn’t spend the weekend painting the town. She’s not the roommate I asked for and not even the one that I necessarily wanted, but I think she is exactly the person that I needed.

She’s the girl that will come pick you up from class so you don’t have to walk home in the snow. She’s the girl that knits you a headband without you even asking, and is always there to talk even though she’s given you the same advice over a hundred times. She’s always happy even when she’s sad and looks on the bright side of every situation. She is generous and loving, but most importantly she’s kind.

Hannah and I are completely different in every way. Physically, mentally and in every which way possible. We don’t match in the slightest and on paper, we should absolutely hate each other. But instead, in these short few months, she has become my teacher, my family, my rock and most importantly she has become one of my closest friends. She wasn’t the roommate I wanted, but she was exactly the one I needed.