Growing up only 20 minutes from California Baptist University, I never really had my heart set on attending this school, let alone dorming on campus. During my senior year of high school, I realized I could see my future at CBU. I was invited to a home volleyball game by the then-assistant coach, Michelle Wright. If it weren’t for that one invite, I would have never met four girls who quickly became the sisters I never had.
Coming on campus that first time, I quickly fell in love and dorming just felt right. Many people I met found it funny that I decided to dorm when I live so close, but this experience not only helped me grow as an individual but also gave me friends who have become the girls I picture being a part of my wedding.
During the housing process, I decided to go the random selection route and not know who I was dorming with until I picked my dorm room. That’s how I found Alyssa Lockwood. After one simple DM, we clicked instantly. From there, we went from living in Cottages to Village. Thank God Alyssa found me interesting enough to have me switch rooms with her. Once we moved rooms, I met Ashley Velasco and Jasmine Hernandez.
Throughout our first year, the four of us went through a whirlwind. From the good and bad that life brought, these girls stood by me through it all. During my freshman year, my grandfather passed away. He was very close to me and his death hit me hard. Through all that hardship, those three girls helped lift me up, even though we had only known each another for a few months.
It’s hard to explain to someone who hasn’t dormed or had a great experience with it, which, trust me, we had some moments. But the connection you make with people going through a new stage of life, like college, is unlike anything else. You begin connecting with them in ways you never connected with anyone before, and the friendship forms faster than any other.
There’s a different kind of unspoken respect among the people you live with and friendships that bloom from that. Sometimes, I wonder what life would be like if things went different or if I never went to that one volleyball game, but then I’m reminded of the people I would have never met, and I realize I would never change anything for the world.
Now, I’m in my junior year of college and although only Ashley and I dorm together, Alyssa and Jasmine still hold a big place in my heart, and we talk almost daily. So much has changed since my first year of college, but one thing that has stayed consistent is the love and care I give and receive from these girls. I thank God every day for blessing me with Alyssa, Ashley and Jasmine as roommates. JAAA forever and always.
