Senior year was by far the most demanding and stressful experience of my college career. Last semester, I balanced 22 credits, two internships, and involvement in extracurriculars, while still making time for friends and family. That being said, sleep often had to be sacrificed.
That nonstop, very sleep-deprived lifestyle was manageable only because I had my high school best friend, Makaela, as my roommate.
I can wholeheartedly and with certainty say that I wouldn’t have survived my senior year if it hadn’t been for Makaela. Every morning, she’d wish me a great day, and every night — when I was in the room before she fell asleep — she’d wish me a peaceful sleep.
Often, I would be out of the room by the time she woke up and would return to the dorm hours after she’d fallen asleep. For days on end, Makaela wouldn’t see me, and we would both miss spending time together. We were roommates who rarely saw each other, yet our friendship never dwindled, and our bond never weakened. In fact, it only grew stronger, as it made us both value every moment we could share.
No matter what I did — whether participating in celebrations or ceremonies, or modeling in fashion shows — she was always in the front row, cheering me on and hyping me up. With both of our crazy, busy schedules, we would plan 30 minutes to an hour for breakfast or lunch just to catch up when our hectic days didn’t allow us to be in each other’s presence.
On the rare occasion that I returned to our dorm before she fell asleep, she’d ask me about my day, and I’d vent and vent and vent while she listened with her undivided attention. Makaela became my therapist, my mentor, my doctor, and my hero.
Her concern for my well-being was heart-melting.
As an intern working under Student Activities at UConn, I spent a lot of time in the communal office space in the Student Union. There, I found refuge as I worked tirelessly on assignments, tasks, and projects. Sometimes, I stayed in the office as late as 3 a.m., long after the entire building had closed, and would return to the dorm just to prepare for my measly three hours of sleep. Yet Makaela never complained, even when I had to turn on the light and go through my nighttime routine.
Her daily words of encouragement, including the kind messages she’d leave in my notebook or send over text, invigorated me.
She sees me, listens to me, and values me in a way words are incapable of expressing.
One day, I decided to study in the room and was glued to my computer while completing an essay. I entered a flow state, and my fingers wouldn’t stop moving as I kept typing. Then, out of the blue, Makaela said, “Wow, you have grown so much.” I stopped and turned toward her, baffled. She stood to my right, smiling, and told me how proud she was of the person I’d become.
She doesn’t know this, but that sentence meant the world to me. As someone who is constantly anxious, self-critical, and full of doubt, having someone recognize my growth, value me, and make me feel loved and accomplished gave me hope. She makes me smile and, above all, inspires me to dream big and “go for it.”
In a time of immense stress, coming to a space where I’m welcomed with kindness, peace, and love is such a breath of fresh air. In our room, gossip and negativity were never welcomed.
Before Makaela, I had three different roommates due to being randomly assigned housing and then studying abroad. The pattern was either people constantly entering and staying in the room without notice or roommates who frequently bad-mouthed others to me.
Negativity is draining. Every time I entered the room, I felt judged and uncomfortable. It never felt like home. This year, however, my dorm truly felt like a second home because of the warmth and positivity Makaela brought to it. A home is built on the love of the people around you, and Makaela embodies that completely.
We are here to uplift each other, hype each other up, and support each other as we navigate the stresses and surprises of life.
Whether it was grabbing lunch together, listening to Makaela play her guitar, or her watching me dance to reggaeton and transform our room into a party, our space was always filled with acceptance and joy.
A friend, a true friend, is someone who sticks with you during the difficult times and celebrates you during your most joyous moments. Makaela is not just a friend; she is my best friend and my hero. She saved me from the many times I wanted to give up or break down in tears. She fueled me with hope and reminded me of how far I’ve come and how I will, slowly but surely, accomplish everything I set my mind to.
Makaela, may all your goals be achieved, may your greatest wishes come true, and may I one day return your kindness tenfold for everything you’ve done for me. I’m the luckiest girl to have you, and no matter what happens, as the great Vitamin C said, “We will always be friends forever.”