Brie Thompson is a Journalism senior and opinion columnist for Mustang News. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang Media Group.
“Brie, can you check if my hair is straight in the back?” my roommate shouts over Baby Keem music blasting through the walls of our college house. I rush over to the bathroom and take a look. Her hair is definitely not straight.
“Can you pass me the straightener? You missed a tiny spot.” I spend the next ten minutes fixing her hair, trying to smooth out the messy back.
It’s a Friday night: clothes scattered everywhere, outfits being swapped between rooms, Monopoly Deal is being played by those ready for the night out and blow dryers echoing through the house. I’m overheating in the bathroom, the only place I can do my makeup in peace.
Amid the chaos, these nights are filled with laughter, the occasional tear, and the warm comfort of a hug from a friend after a tough week. I want to capture these moments that remind me how lucky I am to be surrounded by love.
Growing up without sisters, I always dreamed of having one. I was that little kid who begged my mom to set up playdates, hoping to find the sisterly bond I saw in others. That longing has stayed with me, but now it feels like a childhood dream has come true – I finally have the sisters I always wanted. These incredible girls chose to be a part of my life, and I couldn’t feel luckier.
As Dolly Alderton beautifully writes, “Nearly everything I know about love, I’ve learned from my long-term friendships with women.” My friendships with these women have shown me the most intimate, pure, selfless, and inspiring forms of love I’ve ever known — love I hope to experience for the rest of my life.
These stories are just a glimpse of what these female friendships are like. They’ve shown me what love is and what I deserve: the little notes on my bedside table reminding me I’m loved, soup made for me when I’m too sick to get up, vegan cakes delivered to my door during my weird vegan phase and “Sex and the City” binge nights.
My friends are always the first to notice when something’s off. If I go straight to my room, it takes less than 30 seconds before someone knocks to check in – sometimes before I even realize I’m not okay. These gestures come from a place of love and create a space where we can all be open about what’s going on in each other’s lives.
These friendships have helped heal me during tough times, shaped me into the woman I am today, and continue to inspire my growth. They create a space where everyone can share their feelings, and allow me to express myself fully.
To the girls out there feeling like something is missing from your college experience, remember these wise words from Carrie Bradshaw: “The most important thing in life is your family. Some days you love them, and other days you don’t, but in the end, they’re the ones you always come home to. Sometimes it’s the family you’re born into, and sometimes it’s the one you create.”
As a kid, I thought my family was complete, but now I see it’s always growing. I’ve found my chosen family in these amazing women, who’ve taught me that love comes in many forms. Looking back, I’m proud of the little me for finding the sisters I always wanted!