Reconnecting with an old college friend has been a heartwarming experience, transforming us from old acquaintances into best friends once again. What began as a chance encounter has blossomed into a friendship stronger than ever.
In this post, I’ll share how our paths crossed again, the joy of reconnecting, and how our friendship has deepened into a lasting bond.
Challenges of Making Friends
Friendship felt like a distant dream during my early years in Richardson, Texas. As a shy and quiet child, most of my time was taken up by my parents’ busy shop. After school, I went straight to the shop and spent my afternoons working. Weekends were the same; we worked every day, including holidays, leaving little time for socializing.
My lack of interaction with peers made me feel insecure and made it difficult to connect with others. Even when opportunities arose to socialize, making friends felt awkward and challenging.
So, I never had close friends growing up, just a few acquaintances. I often felt alone and wished for a friend with whom I could talk to and share my secrets. Throughout high school, I stayed away from dating and close friendships because my busy schedule and shyness made it hard to form meaningful connections.
Meeting Rosa in College
Entering college brought significant changes to my life. Moving out of the house to live on campus gave me the freedom to socialize and meet new people. It was a turning point where I hoped to find a best friend to share my experiences with.
During my freshman year at The University of Texas at Austin, my cousin and I became roommates since we were similar in age. Although we weren’t particularly close, our parents thought this arrangement would be beneficial. It was in this new setting that I met Rosa, who would eventually become my closest friend.
Rosa and I had something in common—both of us were born in Korea but raised in Dallas. Despite having seen her at local parties, we hadn’t really connected until college.
Our differences were clear: while I was quiet and reserved, Rosa was outgoing and drew everyone’s attention. She had qualities I admired and secretly wished for, and this is how our friendship began.
Our Friendship Over the Years
Rosa often visited my cousin’s apartment, and as we got to know each other, our friendship grew. She always remained kind and never judged others for their differences. Rosa welcomed everyone with open arms and made friends easily, which made her incredibly popular.
So, she introduced me to her friends, and as we went through college together, our bond grew stronger. From then on, our differences faded as Rosa embraced me with warmth and acceptance.
After graduation, we were separated for a while—Rosa moved to Baltimore and I went to California. The distance and our busy lives made it hard to stay close and remain friends.
Looking back, I missed her a lot and regretted not staying in touch more. I always wondered if I was still important to her and if our friendship could survive. Despite the distance, my friend Rosa remained a special and cherished part of my life.
Reuniting with Rosa
After more than 25 years, a phone call helped bridge the gap between us. Rosa reached out with a warm invitation to meet in Vegas. Reuniting in that lively city was a joyful celebration of our long-lasting friendship. We laughed, reminisced, and relived our college days. Even with time and life’s changes, our friendship stayed as strong as ever.
Today, Rosa is still my best friend. Her lively and funny nature remains unchanged, just like in college. I’m so grateful for how some things never change.
As she begins a new chapter in her life, I’m excited to offer her the same support and love she gave me during my tough times. She may not fully know how her friendship helped me through college.
As we grow older, we continue to support each other through life’s good times and bad times. I hope our friendship stays strong because Rosa’s caring and humorous nature perfectly complements mine. Our bond has lasted through the years, and I cherish it deeply.
Value of a True Best Friend
Having a true best friend is like having a rare and special bond. A real best friend sticks by you through all of life’s ups and downs. They understand you deeply, love you for who you are, keep your secrets, support you in tough times, and bring joy to your life.
Finding a genuine best friend isn’t easy. It takes time, trust, and shared experiences to build that special connection. It’s about going through life together and understanding each other without needing words.
In a world full of acquaintances, a true best friend is a rare gem. I feel incredibly lucky to have Rosa as my best friend, and the gift of friendship we share has proven to be a true treasure.
Be sure to read about my other furry best friend, Shadow, who has also made a big difference in my life.
