Alexia flips her naturally curly blonde hair over her shoulder and laughs as she recalls a story about her cat. Beside her, Pamela grins her gorgeous grin, her blue eyes crinkling. I'm sitting across from the two of them, marveling once again at how incredible my best friends are and how alike they happen to be. Both blonde, both blue eyed, thin, talented (Alexia with singing and Pam with dance), kind, motivated and of course, ingenious.

Pamela is a student at Duke University, graduated in the top percentile of her class (achieving one ranking higher than me on the list of the top 50 GPAs for our high school), is studying law, psychology, chemistry and all those other difficult science subjects, is on the fast track to becoming a lawyer, and according to her, on her way to taking over the world -- she promised me a castle when she does, so I'm OK with this international coup. She's gorgeous, funny and one of the most positive people I've ever met. She radiates pure sunshine, and she's one of those personalities that makes it irresistible to smile whenever she is around.

Alexia is a student at Rollins with me, and she is an animal lover, a music major (for her incredible voice), an avid math and science student and has the quickest wit of anyone I have ever met. Not surprising when you consider her 140-something IQ and her wonderful drive for all things, academic or otherwise. Alexia can speak French, sing in French and gave her cat a French name. She has the best sense of humor I have ever encountered and she is a makeup wizard.

Sometimes, their impressive academics, never-ending drive, gorgeous appearances and impossibly wonderful personalities can get a little intimidating. There is always that insecure little part of my mind that wonders, "How could I ever measure up to them?" But recently, I've learned to beat that irritating little voice back and have instead taken their impressiveness as a compliment to me, as they seem to have decided that I'm OK enough to be their friend. And, the more I dive into deep intellectual conversations, and learn how Alexia does her makeup and Pam picks her cute clothes, the more I realize how they challenge me in the best way possible. Alexia's never ending wittiness gets me to think on my feet, and Pam's positivity forces me to be more social, more excitable and more compassionate.

I love my friends dearly, and as I listen to their conversation, I am overwhelmed by how lucky I am to have them in my life and how grateful I am for the ways they push me to be the best I can be.