Being an only child has been interesting for me. I often surprise people when I drop the bomb on them that it is indeed just me who lives with my parents. I always wonder if people are surprised in a good way or if realizing that I am an only child is like the final puzzle piece for them and it just makes sense (hopefully the latter).
I do understand why sometimes only children are seen as outsiders, I mean, some of them can be a little out of touch. But, I think that my parents did a good job preparing me to be around people and make friends, getting me involved in all sorts of activities and pushing me out of my comfort zone when it came to making friends. So, even though it’s just us three (plus our cats), I like to think that my best friends are just my chosen family. I know that sounds cheesy but I really do believe that it’s true.
No, I don’t share a bathroom with them, but, over the years, we’ve spent countless hours getting ready together, debating which top to wear and how we should all do our hair. I might not have an older sister to tell me all about her experiences and exactly what not to do, but I do have best friends to keep me company and cheer me up on nights when it felt like the world was ending.
Next year, when I actually am sharing a room and bathroom with someone new (the only child in me is very nervous about this) I will long for lunch trips to Bagel Art and nighttime ice cream trips turned long drives down Sheridan. I will miss every bit of each of my friendships, even the petty arguments over nothing. I will think of weekend nights watching Pitch Perfect and enjoying Sea Ranch for dinner fondly when I’m sick of dorm food. I will listen to the Harvard Opportunes version of All For Us and think of the night that song was the only thing that could make me smile. I will lay in bed laughing at the joke that was told while walking through the halls of ETHS. I will watch the Eras Tour movie and sing the whole time, but without my Taylor Swift listening buddy. I will work on my college’s newspaper with Jilian, and we’ll hold memories on the Evanstonian close.
So, to my chosen family, thank you for guiding me through highschool and making sure I don’t “seem like an only child”. Despite so many things changing over the course of the past four years, the thing that’s been consistent in my life is friendship thanks to all of you. I’m so scared to call somewhere else my home and someone else my best friends. Thank you Evanston, thank you friends for giving me something to miss.
What will I do without (most of) you next year?
