I’ve been reflecting. Isn’t that always the case when it
comes to these posts?
It becomes more and more true the older I get, I think. This
blog becomes less about sharing with you all and more about documenting my own
journey, and hoping that maybe my journey can help you travel yours better.
Almost exactly a year ago I posted about fairy tale
friendships. It’s one of my very favorite posts I’ve ever made. Friendships are
such a vital part of my life, and I love to relive the journey I’ve been on
with those people. But this afternoon while I read through it with a smile on
my face, sitting here in my window sill soaking in the sunlight, I realized so
many of the people who have altered me as a person in the last year were not
included in that list.
How odd is it that people who have changed me, who I
consider friends for life, who have walked through this year of growth with me,
I barely knew a year ago?
I love writing notes to people, and the end of the semester
is an optimal time for it. A time to reflect on the growth and memories of the
last year. As I started writing I realized that every note I wrote began with
some version of “a year ago, who would have thought we’d be here?”
So here is my open letter to those people.
Ben, I had just gotten to know. Everyone knows Ben, everyone
loves Ben, and I easily assumed he had enough friends and wouldn’t have space
in his life for someone he had very little connection to. Glad I was wrong,
because he has proven to be an invaluable friend to me, offering wisdom and comfort innumerable times.
Kody and I had drifted apart and come back together. I
couldn’t figure out why were friends. Maybe sometimes I still don’t, because by
all accounts we should drive each other absolutely crazy. But Kody, you have
inspired me every day to be as passionate, as energetic, and as loyal as you
are. I don't know what I'd do without his craziness in my life.
Jacob was just the weird guy who creeped me out the first
day of classes. Now he’s still weird, but a solid friend. Someone I can always
rely on for an understanding ear and a wise opinion.
Nicco was just the friend of friends, someone who kind of
ran in the same circles, someone who absolutely terrified me but I still really
wanted to know. A year later he is a person I greatly respect, someone who
walked me through one of the scariest things I’ve faced thus far, and has
pushed me to be better in so many ways.
Aaron I hadn’t even met! He was still a high school student
waiting to see what kind of adventures college would bring. I had no idea he
would come to be a voice of reason in my life as well as the source of so much
joy.
I mentioned in that post a year ago that I had connected
with the staff of campus ministries and how they had already become a part of
my life. I had absolutely no comprehension of how drastically they would change
my life!
Brittany, just the girl down the hall who smiled at everyone,
has been the best partner I could ask for. Her steadfast joy and optimism
astound me more and more every day.
Elisha, the veteran CMC I was so intimidated by, has been a
constant source of wisdom and stability in this crazy year. Her insights have
guided me and so many others, and I cannot wait to see what God does through
her next!
Eric. Oh Eric, you unexpected friend! From the very first
moment he defied every expectation I had of him. He is truly a warrior for
Christ, an incredible leader, an understanding friend, and one of the greatest
people I have every had the privilege to know.
Niles, who even from the moment I met him I knew we would be
fast friends, has turned out to be such an indispensable rock in my life. His
goofiness and sarcasm have a way of making my worst days easier, and I always
know that when I need to hear what God needs to tell me, it is very likely Niles will know what
to say.
Anne, who seemed so aloof when I met her, has been the person
who understands me best. Within in days of reuniting for training, the people around
us thought we’d been friends for years. Her friendship is so special to me,
probably because we’re basically the same person. Her love for people and love
for God blows me away every single day. I cannot wait to lead with her next
year.
So there’s my open letter, to the people who have changed me
more in a year than I ever thought possible. People who have had an impact on
me in 12 months equal or greater to people I’ve known for years. To all of you, thank you. Thank you for
being the incredible people God has created you to be. And to the rest of you,
I hope this makes you think about yourself last year. Think about the people
who have changed you. And thank them.
Grace and Peace.
