Finding My Other Half

By: Sam Hughes, PC '17

             I remember the first months of freshman year, sitting in my dorm room on the phone with my mom, answering all of her questions about what I did that day, how my classes were, what I was eating for dinner, what my plans were for the day. By the end of the conversation on some days, I could feel that question coming that truly, as a young college student acclimating to life, scares you. The “how are you” that isn’t searching for the simple and easy “good.” It’s the one that desires the true answer, whether that’s positive and happy or negative and hard. And at the beginning of freshman year, I think a lot of people struggle to get to the point of being able to honestly answer that question with an enthusiastic response of how much you’re loving life. My biggest struggle while  transitioning to college life, was feeling like Alabama was where my heart was; I constantly told my mom that I was looking for something or someone to make that connection for me.
            A few short weeks into the school year, during homecoming week, I decided to go to the DZ house before one of my classes. Since it was early, not a lot of people were there. I sat down in the living room, and after a few quiet minutes, another girl walked in and sat down in the room with me. She happened to be someone I had just met the day before, so we started chit-chatting to avoid awkwardness. Through the conversation, we realized so many little random things we had in common, and started bonding over finally finding someone to relate to us on things. After that day, my best friend Tori and I never went a day without each other.
            From sitting in the car listening to new music, to trying local restaurants, going to every Delta Zeta event together, and finding ways to make the other laugh on our bad days, freshman year brought us so close.  As cheesy as it is, we cried saying bye to each other for the summer. I’m from Cincinnati and Tori is from Pittsburgh, so we would be able to see each other over those three months, but we both knew that life gets busy and making time for a four-hour weekend trip can be difficult. One morning I woke up to about 20 text messages from Tori freaking out for me to call her whenever I could. I was a little anxious, but also knew she could be a little ~dramatic~ so I didn’t let myself get too scared. Tori told me that her parents said I could come on vacation with her in the middle of July, so of course I said yes! Our trip to the Outer Banks was one of my favorite vacations ever, and it gave us so many more memories, proving to me that our friendship was more than just two people keeping each other company at school. Even over this winter break, I decided to spend the New Year with Tori.
            All my friendships are equally important to me. I have a core group of friends at school that I have found through DZ; however, I think there are certain people in life that you just connect with. It’s almost impossible to put into words how two people complement each other so well. I am beyond blessed to have one of these people in my life also be my best friend.
            This past year, I’ve begun to realize just how special friendships in college are. Delta Zeta has brought me so many best friends, that I honestly did not know if I would find to replace my high school ones. But, most importantly, I truly believe I have found the person to make this place a home for me. Without Delta Zeta, Tori and I probably would not have connected. This is such a special connection to me, and no matter where our lives take us over the course of the years, I know I have a sister to always lean on.