The other day it hit me, the dreaded yet unavoidable impending reality: There will come a day when we don’t live together.

This thought struck me (and my tear ducts, admittedly) harder than I thought it would. I mean I knew we couldn’t live together forever, but actually thinking about the day when we would have to say goodbye and depart from our shared living quarters makes my heart hurt. Never again will we have late night chats together, dance parties, roomie dinners, cry sessions or movie nights. Who am I going to binge-watch Nick Jonas music videos with? And who is going to wake me up from my naps? I love coming back to the dorm and knowing that when I walk inside, I’m walking into my home away from home, my roomies, whom I can call my best friends. So, I thought I would address each of you personally (because we all have those roommates) and what I appreciate most about you.

To the mom of our room:

Thank you for playing this role. You are the one that keeps us together (and on time to things). Your concern for our general wellbeing and test grades is so nurturing and your overall positivity creates a happy home (or dorm I suppose). You bring energy and keep life upbeat. I know I can count on you for anything and even though you may keep life structured, you know how to a have a crazy good time.

To the one who’s always studying:

I admire you because you have the motivation and perseverance of all of us combined. I don’t have to wonder where you are all the time because I know. The library. When I don’t feel like doing my own work, I look at you studying so hard and find the urge to get off the couch. And although you may be gone a lot, the room just doesn’t feel complete without you. When you finally have the time to get your head out of the books, I’m like “the party has arrived.”

To the one who’s always chill:

What would our room be without you? Your go-with-the-flow attitude lowers the overall stress and tension and your chill personality is up for anything. There is no time limit with you or structured plan. You bring an equal amount of spontaneity and relaxation. You’re up for adventures or just taking naps. Every room needs a chilled roommate and I’m glad we found ours.

Although we have to share bathrooms, take turns washing dirty and smelly dishes, take the trash out, and overall be conscious of one another, I don’t want to think about the day when I will have to say goodbye to it all. I like going to bed and knowing I will wake up to my best friends. I like coming back from a long day of classes and knowing I can hang out with my favorite people now. I love how one moment we can be ranting about professors and the next we will be laughing or crying about awkward things that happen to us.

I love that our lives crossed paths and I get to experience this stage of life with you. I will never forget the memories we have created together.

P.S. If all life plans fail, can we be each other’s back plan and be roommates once again?