Transferring to Iowa has come with a great deal of blessings. I have become much more self sufficient, I have found an area of study that completely captured my heart, I have grown closer to the friends I had before coming here and have made new friends as I’ve branched out and met more and more people. Two of those new friends, in particular, have had a special place in my heart, however, because they’ve helped make Iowa feel like home. So here is my thank you letter to my first set of roommates.
Dear Melissa and Emily,
When I first moved out to Iowa City in August, I had so many thoughts and emotions flowing through my head. Our roommate setup was a bit out of the ordinary. Not only did I not see the house we would all be living in until the day I moved in, but I also hadn’t met either of you until that day either. “What if they don’t like me?” “Will I ever really be comfortable around these girls?” “What if they think I’m weird for singing in my room?” “What if none of us get along or relate to each other at all?!” My nerves were high, but my excitement was higher. As terrified as I was to move into a house with, well, basically strangers, I had never lived with anyone but my mom my whole life, so a change was exciting to me.
I’ll never forget the first time you both saw my room for the first time. It was all set up and organized perfectly. I remember you both being so impressed with how everything was decorated that you both asked me to help you with your own rooms. Those were the days… Now my room is trashed probably 98% of the time, LOL. Later that week we had our very first roomie night, complete with dinner at Stella’s and then a night out on the town. That night is a night I will cherish forever. I was still pretty nervous about wanting to make sure I made a good impression on you guys, but after talking a while at dinner about boys, life, school and boys again, I began to feel completely comfortable with you and was so excited for the year ahead.
Now here we are eight months later. And there is a handful of things I’d like to say thank you for:
Thank you for taking me to the Rec for the first time.
Thank you for doing my dishes even when I deliberately tell you not to worry about them and that I’ll do them when I get home from class.
Thank you for switching my clothes in the washer/dryer.
Thank you for knowing how to reboot the router when Mediacom WiFi screws us over.
Thank you for remembering when I have a test and for wishing me good luck right before it.
Thank you for bringing in my mail/packages for me.
Thank you for giving me the sweetest birthday/Christmas presents.
Thank you for listening to my extremely dramtic stories about my weekends out.
Thank you for always asking me if I need something from the grocery store before you go.
Thank you for always saying “Good morning” or “Goodnight” or “Have a good day” before we go our separate ways.
Thank you for loving romantic comedies as much as I do.
Thank you for introducing me to The Holiday.
Thank you for letting me love Kaiser (Melissa’s puppy) as my own.
Thank you for reminding me to treat myself to a night out.
Thank you for accepting me as crazy, loud, messy and all over the place as I am.
And thank you for blessing me with your friendship.
I love you guys,
Hannah