I’ve always wanted that true female friendship: one that is comfortable, fun, and without drama. For 19 years I looked at the screen and around me and saw relationships that seemed to fit this narrative and I wondered if I would ever get that or if that was just a myth. I’ve had great friendships along the course of these 19 years and I love each and every one of them, but something was always missing, something I couldn’t pinpoint. Was my own Rachel-Monica-Phoebe trio waiting out there for me?

I vividly recall a mid-October conversation with my mom where I confided in her about feeling a void in my friendships despite having two distinct groups of friends. These connections left me drained rather than rejuvenated after our interactions. I wasn’t despondent about it though and I didn’t feel the urge to seek more or different friends; I was content spending ample time with myself.

But then, Halloween weekend arrived, altering my perspective entirely. In August, I met a girl in one of my friend’s rooms and we started talking since our mutual friend was busy. We never really made plans to hang out until Halloween weekend and we’ve hung out every day since. We also met another girl whose Nite Ride we hopped on and casually planned to hang out with as we all do when we meet someone new. However, we actually decided to text her and we’ve become so close that she’s moved into my once-empty dorm and is my roommate now! I also spent my Fall break at her house and it was tons of fun!

From late-night deep conversations to deciding how to reply back to a boy together to getting me maple syrup so I didn’t have to eat my leftover pancake without it, these girls are my home away from home. Iowa City feels like home now that I have them with me and every day feels like an adventure (sometimes quite literally, because we cannot seem to catch a break!).

I’m sharing this because I want anyone feeling low about not having close friends to know this: Invest in your own happiness and enjoyment. Spend time doing things that bring you genuine joy and fulfillment. When you immerse yourself in activities you love, you radiate positivity and attract like-minded souls.