Your friends are those people who can cheer you up instantly. They are always there to listen. Sometimes they drop everything to be there for you.

They're like another family. Sometimes you're lucky enough to meet new people that are different than anyone else you've met. When you find them, you do everything to in your power to keep them around and be a good friend.

Sometimes you can meet friends that you've never had before. Maybe they're from a different culture or studying a different major in college.

For me, I have always had a mix of friends, but my closest friends were always girls until more recently in life. When I transferred colleges, I thought it would be tough to meet new people and find new friends.

I started putting myself out there, and I met an amazingly diverse group of people that was about half girls and guys. I was introduced to the group and I fell in love with them instantly. It was really interesting to be a part of this group, and it only got better.

A bit more recently, I started hanging out with just the guys in the group more. That was something I never really had because not many guys had the same interests or viewpoints as me. It has been really cool to get to know the guys and to allow them to get to know me.

My friends had just moved into a new apartment a few weeks ago and they had somewhat of a housewarming kickback. I wanted to get them something for their place, but like many other college students low on funds, I decided I'd paint them something to hang in the apartment.

They loved the painting I did. To give a general outline of the painting from left to right, the letters are the first initial of their first names in the order I met them. Each third is composed of colors and symbols that represent each of them.

F is for Franko. He has two maps because he is from another country but came to the United States for college. D is for Dan, and he has a galaxy background because he wears the print a lot, and he's also out of this world (pun intended). R is for Ro, who is very positive and always does his best to help others feel the same way. He has colors and symbols that represent the difference between positive and negative.

Creating this painting and seeing their reactions was really a fun experience for me. I don't think they were expecting it to really go in depth that much about them. I took my time and came up with everything specifically for who they are to me.

Wouldn't you want to do the best for your friends as well?