Dear Friends,
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we’re all reminded to take the time to appreciate things that are in our lives. Although we should be grateful every day, it’s easy for us to take some things for granted. That’s why in this blog post, I’m going to cheese it up and write about something that I’m very grateful for: my friends.
If I were richer and could afford to spend money on frivolous things, I would give each of my friends a mug that said “#1 best friend”. It takes a great load of skill and patience to match my wits and put up with my quirks, but they truly are a talented bunch. My friends have been there for me through thick and thin, and life would be so much worse if I hung out with a different bunch of losers. From learning how to be compassionate to being able to stand up for myself, each of my friends has taught me something that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. So here’s a sort of love letter (or blog post in this case) to my friends and the lessons I’ve learned from them.
Mush and Will: Compassion and Grit
I would probably be a completely different person if it weren’t for my cousin Mush and my best friend Will. Both of them have a kind of grit that is so remarkable– even when they’re at their worst, they pick themselves up and work through it.
Whenever I’m feeling discouraged, I look to Mush and see how she studies hard to pursue her dream of becoming a civil engineer. If a friend is in need of comforting, I think about what Will would do in this situation. It is through them that I have learned how to have compassion for others and that even though I might not have all the answers, the fact that I’m there is all that matters.
Anna and Jocelyn: You’re Not Alone
Growing up an only child, I got used to being by myself. Figuring things out on my own comes naturally to me. Anna and Jocelyn help me see that there are people I can talk to. When there’s a problem, both of them look to other resources to help them figure it out, whether it be Google or just by asking friends. They’ve helped me open up and share more about my personal life and problems rather than being closed off and reserved. Combined with their impeccable fashion sense, this dynamic problem-solving duo is unstoppable, and I’m glad to have them on my side.
Josh and Rachel: Put Yourself Out There
People like Josh and Rachel make money moves only. They’re amazing networkers and are willing to take risks, whether it be business-wise or in the dating scene. Josh, being the extrovert that he is, pushes me to go out and meet new people. Rachel has such a great presence and isn’t afraid to speak her mind, and I aspire to be like her. Even when things get scary, she shoots her shot. They both are looking towards the future, and I know they’re both going to go far in life.
Averey and Caroline: Take No Sh*t
Normally I don’t swear, but there was no other phrasing I could use. My friends Averey and Caroline know what they want and don’t like to beat around the bush. When I overthink things– which happens often– it’s useful to have friends like Averey and Caroline who can look at me in the eye and tell me that whatever I’m worrying about is stupid. They are my voice of reason, and their refreshing realism brings joy and a new perspective to my life.
Gertrude and Isaiah: Weird is Good
Once you meet Gertrude and Isaiah, it’s hard to forget them– believe me, I’ve tried. These are two crazy and unique people who helped me learn to be more accepting of myself and of others. My wits wouldn’t have been so sharp if it weren’t for my constant roast battles with Gertrude, and I probably would’ve been so much more uptight if it weren’t for Isaiah’s eccentric hand gestures and loud “HeLLoOOoO?” anytime he walked into a room. It’s hard to figure out what’s going on in their heads sometimes, but that’s what makes things interesting. They are the wildest people I’ve ever met, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Yukta and Tessa: Treat Yourself
It’s hard enough to balance school and work, adding a social life into the mix can be quite a juggling act. However, my friends Yukta and Tessa remind me that it’s important to let loose every once in a while. In high school, all of us were very involved in extracurriculars– Yukta was in mock trial, Tessa did dance, and I was in news broadcasting. Despite having busy schedules, they always found a way to make time to eat out, go shopping, or even just relax on the couch. I have so many different priorities, sometimes I forget that I’m a priority too– Yukta and Tessa remind me that self-care is important.
Sincerely, Me
People say that you’re an average of the people who surround you. If that’s true, then I must be an outlier because my friends are off the charts. I’ve grown so much throughout the years because of these people, and it’s shaped me into who I am today. There are so many other friends that I wanted to mention, but I think readers would get bored of me idolizing everyone. What a lucky girl I am to have so many people who I know love and support me that I can’t fit them into just one post.
I hope this cheesy post helped warm your heart a little bit during this cold season. Show your friends some love this Thanksgiving. Give a hug, insult them lovingly– even sending them a quick little text can be meaningful. What have your friends taught you? Share your life lessons in the comments below!