New Journey - more loveNew Journey - more love

Prior to attending college, there are so many ideas you have around what your experience will be! We're from a generation that grew up watching films like "Love & Basketball" and "House Party" so the expectation is FUN, hard work, recognition and maybe...more fun?? LOL But we found in our experience it was a bit more nuanced than the movies. There were at times: grief, uncertainty, lots of laughs, PARTAYS, fellowship, long nights studying, food runs, coffee and a bunch of other sometimes indescribable moments. You learn to adapt (quickly) and think on your feet to resolve any unforeseen event that is thrown your way! The need for key relationships and critical thinking skills evolves past anything learned from high school lessons... Truly, college is a prequel to real deal adult life and responsibility. The memory of first meeting one of our best key relationships felt like it just happened yesterday...Kamal was walking through our college cafeteria likely looking for something good to eat (our "d-hall" had some sketchy food after the initial college tour) and was introduced to his potential new acquaintance Kamaria - via mutual friends. There wasn't any indication this meeting would lead to anything more than a HI, then BYE relationship - however it was apparent that Kamal was a chill guy and appeared to be cool, calm and collected, while Kamaria radiated an energy of free-spiritedness with maybe a little goofiness sprinkled in. No way that's a match made in heaven, right? As time progressed, the acquaintance bond continued and expressed itself as literally a friendly "HI, then BYE" dynamic, then eventually.....the mutual friendships they shared grew closer which meant the amount of time shared between both parties increased. The more time spent together, the more the friendship and funny "insiders" grew. One of the things that stood out most was Kamal's individuality, generosity, care for others, and his love for growing a closer relationship with God. With Kamaria, it was her perseverance, love of laughing, kindness and her dedication to finishing what she started. The moments of realization that "this person is becoming my best friend and confidant" hit our hearts and it was hard to not leave the door open for more. There was a true comfort, a natural vulnerability and acceptance of our character that permeated through our communication and care for one another. In other words, it felt...right and furthermore, safe. Although there was no absolute for how things would work out, there was a mutual feeling of life being exponentially joyous, therefore better together. College REALLY was (at least in some ways) like the movies for us and we wouldn't trade our progressing love story for anything. It has helped shape us into the people we are becoming today! We are so excited to continue on this journey and share this love and excitement with all of you. Thank you for reading and hope to see you very soon! Love, The Emehs