I will never forget the day I met the first of you wild, savage animals.

I remember being terrified of the first girl I had met of the three. She was a free-spirited, careless, ray of sunshine, but I didn’t know that yet. I had heard stories of how she was a little overwhelming at first and there were some not so good stories of her shenanigans at the bars. I was so close-minded to making new friends; I shut her out right away. She was the type to say whatever was on her mind and had no filter on her mouth. I was judgmental then and HUGE on first impressions. The first time I had ever met her, she was unconscious outside of a bar. (It was her 21^st in her defense, but I didn't know that) The second time I met her she was talking about the nudes she was sending her boyfriend and I think she showed me one right then and there. I never thought she’d become my best friend. (I hope she doesn’t kill me for writing this.)

We were abroad when all of this was happening. I was a junior in college and had never thought I would meet anyone else to add to my already (what I thought was) amazing friend group. I had my first real conversation with her in Milan. After a drunken conversation about Italian wine and how much we loved Italian men we clicked from then on. She started to slowly migrate into our apartment and sleepovers turned into her becoming my “unofficial” 5^th roommate. We literally shared a closet and bed. After becoming friends with her I realized what selfless, bubby, caring people can do to your life. She impacted me in a way that she still manages to do now. The second she comes into the room you can’t help but laugh. You can never be mad at her for more then 5 minutes because she’s just so outrageously goofy, you have to love her, it’s impossible not to cuddle with her and laugh over tea.

Then she introduced me to the next squad member. This girl was bartending in some raunchy Italian bar. Since we all went to the same school, the girl handed us free drinks all night. She came to hangout after her shift was up; we bonded over Italian beer, the owner who was trying to take us home and the flower man who always gave us free roses in the bar sealed the experience for the three of us. The pre-games then happened every night in that girl’s apartment and it became a ritual to go out together every night. She was different from my friends back at home, she was much more vulgar, but in a low-key way. She encouraged the worst behavior, but cheered you on so you would never think twice about it. She reminded me constantly that you’re only young once; we only get to experience these cobblestone roads once in a lifetime.

She was always up to any adventure and always made sure to have a great time. She’s never in a bad mood, and she’s always there to listen and give great advice. She brings out the savage side of me. I mean it sometimes the things that come out of her mouth to this day never cease to take me back. We’re graduating from college at the end of this year and she’s more savage then ever. She’s the type to remind you that you don’t need a man, and a good night with your girlfriends is all it takes to cheer you up. She’ll also always recommend the movie: For a Good Time Call, on Netflix for when you need a confidence boost. She's that one friend that will never judge any mistake you made, instead she'll help you accept it happened and move on.

Squad member #1 and Squad member #2, then introduced me to the most savage of them all Squad #3. She intimidates me each and every single day. The first time I ever met her, she told me she had just punched someone waiting in line for the bathroom in a club. (Studying abroad really brings out the best in all of us.) I was looking at her like she was absolutely crazy. I thought there was no way I could be friends with her.

1) I wasn’t cool enough

2) I wasn’t a bad enough bitch to roll with her squad.

She began to show up at the pregame with Squad member #1 and #2 every night in Europe. The four of us then began to hang out regularly, terrorizing Italian men, scheming free drinks, robbing men for free flowers and consuming the culture in every way possible dancing to Columbian Pop and Justin Bieber in Italian nightclubs.

Squad member #3 proved to be the most surprising of the three. Mainly because she puts up such a hard front, and it took me the longest to get to know her. I’ve learned that she may be a little crazy, but I’ve never had more fun with anybody else. Her love for New York City, black clothing, tattoos and bad behavior made me want to be more like her. Plus the fact we spent a night running around New York City and lived to tell the tale says something. She’s always there when I need her, and she’s brutally honest with me. Which I need, a lot. She’s always there with a good going out top and vodka or wine. She looks intimidating, I know, and I’d be scared to talk to her too, but she’s the sweetest girl once you dig deep enough. She’s caring and wants the best for the people she cares about most. After realizing who she was I knew she'd be my friend beyond Italy and beyond New York City.

I didn’t have a niche prior to leaving to study abroad. I thought my friends I had before leaving were all I’d ever need. The game changer was meeting this squad. They are there for me through think and thin. When all of my friends at home turned their back on me, they were there with open arms and a bottle of vino. They’re there to come pick me up at any hour of the day/night. They answer every text, every snap chat, and every tweet. They are there to shit talk the ex boyfriends, dress each other a little too inappropriately before going out and laugh at the savage things we do.

What I know for sure is that I have never met anyone else like these girls. As much as they get on my nerves every once in a while, and as much as they surprise me I hope I have these three standing next to me when I walk down the aisle on day. I’m sure they’ll be trying to screw the groomsmen, and taking full advantage of the open bar but I’d expect nothing less. They keep me young, and sane. To my squad, you guys really did change my life, and I wouldn’t be me without you. Thanks for letting me become an animal with you each and everyday.