Not What, But Who - A Delayed Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was a week ago and I’m not a big holiday, birthday, intentional celebration person so I wasn’t too bothered by being away. But as the day always does, it had me thinking about how much I have to be thankful for. More than that, who I have to be thankful for. I’ve got friends who know me inside and out, who can read me like a book and bring out the best in such different ways and while I'm so lucky to have so many incredible friends, I'm going to take this time to highlight four. Relative to my black and white personality, I feel like they reflect two very different sides of me as well. 

When I left the US, I left the Rosie to my Sophia Grace. Baby Lauren - my best friend, favorite friendship story, the best person to road trip with, and the person who taught me that separation anxiety is a very, very real thing. I don’t think there are many people who bond over a lunch date and Fergilicious the way we did during the summer of 2010 when we were scared newbies in college. We made the best “not roommates” before we became official roommates after that long freshman year when we had to figure out how to never leave each other’s sides despite doing different sports, classes and living one floor away from one another. We never had to discuss that we would have our meals together, go out together, get “appetizers” for the three minute ride home from the grocery store and officially live together as soon as we could. The jokes about my lack of feelings started in high school and continued in college when Lauren would try to get me to talk about things going on. Sometimes I would text her on a bad day, “I think I’m having feelings” which she always loved. Now I understand the importance of having someone who will always listen to what’s going on in your head, and genuinely want to know also. I’m lucky to still have Lauren by my side when something goes wrong and I just need a familiar voice from home. We attended my brother’s wedding together after over a year without seeing one another and it confirmed that even though Clemson led me to Arusha on a very twisted path, this friendship was the best thing I got from Clemson. To this day, there’s nobody I’d rather have a sleepover or Sunday movie day with than Lauren. So, Baby Lauren, thanks for the PBD dates, concerts, nights out, real talks, gas station adventures, for being the vital part of an unforgettable college experience and always being by my side, even when we are nearly 8,000 miles apart.

If you’ve heard about my time in Arusha, you’ve probably heard about my Canadian soul sister, my spirit animal, my absolute, Jenna. I met her in 2013 and by the first impression, I never thought we would be friends – she was so. cool. As it turned out, we went to the bar together that night and the most amazing friendship came to life and for that I am so grateful. I lived with her all over Arusha for several weeks that first summer we met…then again the following year when she came back. She pulled me out of my shell even more and showed me honesty, freedom, and an openness to everything life has to offer. Never turn down an opportunity, be the best friend you can be. Always. The next year she returned to Arusha and lived with me. She knew Hill Crest, Isaac and Elizabeth, my friends, my personal life, and most importantly that I only like my toast warm; if a piece of bread can even be called toast, it’s too toasted. There is nobody else who has seen me in my highest highs, who completely understands my lowest lows, and nobody else who can make me weep so much at the thought of reuniting. So, Jenna, thanks for making me all those pieces of toast. For always making me laugh, for loosening me up and being a pivotal part of what Arusha has become - home. My love for you is immeasurable. I am so happy to have you back, even if just for two weeks.

If you have heard about what’s gone on this year, you have probably heard about Shayna and Mhairi – the other two of my four ride or dies. There couldn’t have been a more perfect time for these two to come into my life. When my world was falling apart, one hazy but unforgettable weekend away with them was the beginning of it’s coming together. For me to be so comfortable with two people so quickly says it all. There is no way to put my relationship with these girls into words and do it any justice, but I truly don’t know the mental, physical or emotional state I would be in if it weren’t for these two this year. We were all going through something but most days we spent together were nothing short of our own convoluted version of perfect. Our moments of weakness turned to jokes about our Truman Show life, because none of it could possibly be real. We are Arusha’s Savannah’s girls who always had all the fun, all the feels and all the love. Shay Shay and V, thanks for always being down for a drink after a horrible day, giving me some of my favorite memories, for never judging me for that time I snored myself awake, and for being the best two spoons anyone could ask for. I can't wait to See You Again.

Thank you girls for being home. For getting me through all the messes, and making sure I remember that the most important things are my work and my sanity. And that as long as I get my work done, there’s no harm in spending a couple more dollars for a couple more drinks because if a few bad hangovers is what I leave Arusha regretting, then it will have all been worth it. You’ve all helped shape me into the person I am today, someone I am so proud to be because I’m lucky enough to call you four my friends.