"A friend is someone who dances with you in the sunlight and walks beside you in the shadows."

Last year I left my family, friends, church, and all the comforts of the blessed east coast to begin my freshman year at Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Wisconsin. It was here that some of my new favorite memories were made. And while some of my dear friends from the Midwest may not believe it, this girl from the east coast who once moaned about the smell, the wind, and the "isolation from civilization" has grown to love the little mark on the map called Watertown, Wisconsin. I think a piece of my heart will always be there.

After my last night making memories with some of my favorite people at Maranatha, I came to the realization that of all of the blessings God bestows upon His children, friendship is one of the most precious.

It was the last day we would all be together. Torn between the excitement of going home and leaving each other, I reached for another M&M, leaned my head against the wall and closed my eyes. It was times like these, I thought, that I really, really appreciated whoever invented those wonderful little colorful circles of chocolate. It was a bitter sweet moment. (Literally)

Sitting on Emily's bed, listening to all the chatter of my friends, I took it all in. There were at least five conversations going at once. . .talk of summer, the beach, road trips, boyfriends, and plans for the future filled the room. This was a moment in my life that I never wanted to forget. Ever. I smiled. If I didn't smile I would have cried. Because that's how much these girls mean to me.

Looking around the room I breathed a silent prayer of thanksgiving and sent it towards Heaven. These were the girls who encouraged me through my disappointments, opened their ears to whatever was on my heart or mind, laughed me through my embarrassing moments (and there sure were many of those moments being the lowly, confused college freshman I was. . .), held me close and shared my tears when I thought I couldn't go on, made me laugh till I cried, told me "you're beautiful" when I was having a bad hair day, and of course, opened their closets when a wardrobe crisis came my way. They never failed to offer words of encouragement when I needed them most. Our circle was always ready and willing to pray with each other, often sharing truths from God's Word and uplifting each other was we grew and were strengthened in our faith. These are the girls I have the privilege of calling my friends.

I soon discovered, however, that they are more than my friends. They're spiritual leaders, godly individuals, followers of Christ, strong and beautiful women who will change the world through their kindness, character, determination, and devotion to our great God.

I recall a conversation I had with my sisters before I headed off to Wisconsin. They told me that the friendships I would make in college would be those that would last a lifetime. I knew I would be starting a brand new chapter of my life, but I never could have imagined the amazing people that would fill the pages of this particular chapter. Now as my time at Maranatha has come to a close I have come to realize that they were right - the friendships I have made here will last a lifetime. After all, truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget. No matter what the distance, how many miles apart we may be, the memories we have made will live on in my heart. Forever.