New Beginnings

2020 has been a frustrating year to say the least. The fact that “unprecedented times” is a phrase I regularly say and just rolls off the tongue is honestly frightening. Throughout quarantine so far, I’ve had a lot of unexpected weekends with family, a LOT of wine and a lot of time to myself. There have been so many changes going on my life, both good and bad, but it wasn’t until my younger brother left this week for his freshman year at University of Washington for me to truly reflect on my most recent milestone - college.

Immediately after realizing he was gone, I was emotional for sure, but I was instantly transported back to how I felt lugging my bags into my freshman year dorm. Obviously scared and awkward as hell, I had no idea what the next four years would look like.

Ohio State provided me with an incredible education, unique professional experiences and four kick-ass football seasons, but none of that would have been nearly as enjoyable if it wasn’t for the company I kept. With all of that being said, it was not a picture-perfect process. It took a lot of awkward texts asking to grab lunch between classes for me to find people I meshed well with. My biggest advice: DO IT. You never know what could come out of meeting someone at an average food hall. After a semester in the sorority we all joined, my friends came together naturally.

I learned early on that my most favorite thing about the girls I surrounded myself with was that we were all so different. Our family backgrounds, our personalities, our interests. It didn’t matter that I would rather watch Gossip Girl over football on a Sunday or that we ranged from civil engineers to teachers. Despite our differences, all that mattered was that when we all sat down together, it was nonstop laughter and fun.

These are the type of friends to turn a car ride into a concert, a soccer game into an Olympic event and a house party into a music festival. These are the type of friends who aren’t afraid to put each other in our places. College is stressful, man. On your saddest day, you need a listener. On your most exciting day, you need a hype man. On your feistiest day, let’s be honest, you need a vibe checker. The best kind of friends are all of those people and more.

Find the people who welcome your family with open arms, even if it means making them shotgun a beer at 8:00 a.m. Find the people who challenge you to step out of your comfort zone, even if that means throwing you off a water tube going 32 mph. Find the people who cheer you on when you’re in your element, even if that means sitting at a 7:00 p.m. performance on a Sunday with hours of homework left to do. Find the people who let you into their lives, even if that means you are the shoulder to cry on during the hardest times.

Most of all, find the people who help bring out your best self. As a freshman, I struggled with my own self confidence issues and insecurities. I was fortunate enough to meet people who welcomed all of those things, the good and the bad, and helped me grow into a much stronger and happier person inside and out. As I say goodbye to that chapter in my life, I walk away feeling forever grateful that I met people who made and continue to make life better in every way.

So, to my brother - it’s time for you to go find the people who inspire you t0 study more, work harder, cheer louder and love you for everything you are.

I know you will.

xx,

Mary