7.11.24: I Love My Friends

I’ve always been very outgoing. As an extrovert, I feel energized when I’m surrounded by other people. I love to talk, listen, and connect with people. I would get in trouble in elementary school for talking too much during class.

Making friends as a kid is easy. I moved around a lot in my childhood, so making new friends was a part of the job description. Once I moved for the last time with my parents, I realized that growing up makes making friends a little more difficult. I was bullied when I first moved to Colorado in 8th grade. Being the new kid was not as fun as it was when I was younger. Girls were mean, and boys were worse. It took me a few months to find my people, and when we went to high school the next year, a lot of them went to different schools. In high school, I hung out with anyone and everyone. I had my very best friend, Mya, and a lot of other friends who would join us on our after-school escapades.

I decided to go to an out-of-state school for college. I was excited to play on a collegiate basketball team and live close to my grandparents (who lived in Nebraska). I went to a small Lutheran school for my first two years. When I think back on my freshman year, I remember my first group of best friends. I thought we would be friends forever, but our time together was temporary. They were so funny and kind and were down for anything. When most of them transferred after our freshman year, I connected deeply with my two best friends, Olivia and Jaydi. We still talk regularly today, and I will be Jaydi’s maid of honor in her wedding next year.

I transferred schools in 2020 to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Going to a state school was so exciting; so much opportunity to meet people!

The funny thing is, I didn’t make a single friend in school. Crazy, right? But it’s true. Being a transfer student made it difficult because I didn’t live in the dorms. I was already almost 21, so going to froshes was not something I was interested in. I didn’t want to join a sorority (not my style), and even though I was outgoing in class, I never made any connections with my classmates. So how was I supposed to meet anyone?

While I didn’t make any friends in my classes, I started working at a pizza joint in 2021, and my friendships blossomed. There’s something about a busy Friday night in the weeds that just brings people together. The restaurant industry is already so fun, and even better when you’re working with all your best friends. We’d throw parties after work, go plant shopping, hang out at each other’s houses, spend birthdays together, you name it. It was wholesome and fun, and I’m still besties with some people I’ve met through that silly little pizza shop.

Nowadays, I work at a different restaurant, and I love going out, shopping, and grabbing breakfast with my coworkers (my new friends)! I feel so connected to the people I’ve been surrounding myself with and am so thankful and grateful I get to call them my friends.

Making friends as an adult can be a challenge. Even though I moved to Nebraska knowing literally nobody, I have found my closest friends who make me feel understood and loved and keep me laughing. Every day we get to hang out, I feel so complete. If you’re my friend, thank you for reading! I love you and am thankful you’re in my life.