I didn’t have many friends in high school.

As a younger, more socially awkward form of myself, I struggled both to meet people and form meaningful relationships. That had been my life for 18 years, and I figured college would be more of the same.

And I was terrified.

So when I signed up for a roommate finder app, I never expected it to work out. I hoped we would be able to tolerate each other, but I never expected much beyond that. Now imagine my surprise when a stranger on the internet who slid into my DMs asking if I wanted to talk about being roommates turned out to become one of my best friends.

As we both know my now, I’m not the most emotional, but I love our friendship so much. Thank you for all the late night talks, Wal-Mart runs, movie marathons, and El Maz dates.

You’re a real gem, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to return the favor for all you’ve done from me. Even if we someday cease to speak, know that for this season of my life I have appreciated you so much.

For reasons I don’t understand but sincerely appreciate, I decided to go through formal sorority recruitment. I expected the week to be fun, and maybe I’d meet a few people, but a part of me always assumed it would not work out and I would walk away at the end of the week with nothing more than the Go Greek shirt they gave to all the participants.

Now imagine my surprise when I met a group of amazing women who liked me just as much as I liked them. I never expected to get a bid. But now that I not only have one, but am also an initiated woman, I can’t imagine life without you all. My admiration has grown into something deeper, and for that I am so thankful.

To people who came into my life through me by means of other people, even the mutual friends who no longer share the mutual friend with me, I am so blessed to know you all. The gifts are always the best ones.

I don’t know if you ever realized this, but you all have made me a better person. Through loving me, you all have helped me love myself. I’m a hard worker, but I owe some of my success to you all. I would not say that I have changed completely, but I no longer recognize myself. Rough edges and pieces of me that have always been “works in progress” are more developed, more improved now.

So to the complete strangers who became my best friends, thank you.

I only hope that I return the favor.