Turns out I can't remember when or how we met. But the earliest memory I have with Brandon is playing rec volleyball at Messiah. I had joined his team and his friends, and we were scheduled to play a game even though it was pouring rain. The other team didn't show so we played against ourselves on a sand court riddled with giant puddles. After the game and already drenched, a few friends from the team decided to go test the Yellow Breeches. Eager to secure my spot in the friend group, I of course joined. The creek was more a river, moving rapidly and having risen to chest level but the five of us waded in, holding on to each other to avoid getting swept downstream. Surviving our first Messiah College ritual, we walked back to campus laughing, soaking wet, and with the beginning of quite the strong bond between us. Brandon and I became fast friends, sharing classes, meals, and late nights in the Witmer lounge. Hard to believe for some and not so hard to believe for others how our friendship has grown and evolved over these past five plus years.