When someone is asked what they are grateful for, the answer often involves “my friends,” however, when I say that I am grateful for my friends, I don’t think people understand how serious I am.
All of my life, I never felt like I fit in somewhere. I constantly felt myself acting differently around different people because I didn’t have a group of friends that I felt were accepting of me. I had amazing friends, don’t get me wrong, and I still love them all. Still, in group settings, it always felt like I didn’t belong, like there wasn’t a spot for me in the group. I was left out of a million hangouts, a million groupchats, and a million conversations. When Homecoming would roll around, or Halloween, Friendsgiving, even getting ready for football games, it brought me nerves that made me sick to my stomach. Simply because everyone knew exactly who they would be spending that time with, but I didn’t. Thanks to my best friend, Kaia Costa, I was always able to tag along with her and her friends. But, that was not my group, it was hers. I needed to find my own place in this school.
It wasn’t until Sophomore year that I asked Mady Lee if I could sit with her and her friends at lunch. I knew all of them, but I was only close with Mady and Jillian Mendelson. I felt so much anxiety going to sit with them because I didn’t want to invade their friend group. They were all so close and had been for years.
Walking over at lunch for the first time with them was nerve racking, I know how silly it sounds but I just didn’t know how they would react or if they would even want me to sit there. Spoiler alert: I was worried about NOTHING. They were seriously as sweet as could be, I had never experienced something like that before. The welcoming vibes and kind words they said as they quickly encouraged me to sit down. I remember that day so well because of the impact it had on me.
Fast forward a few months, and I was officially in the friend group. This was the best thing that has ever happened to me. The eight of us just click! Chloe Philip, Sophia De Vito, Eera Bhagwat, Cailey Ross, Evie Salacain, Jillian Mendelson, Mady Lee, and me! I had finally found a group of girls who loved me for who I was and wanted to be around me. They showed me that they cared. Constantly showing up for me when I need to, coming to my softball games, making me feel special on my birthday, listening to me when I cry, understanding my feelings, and most importantly, making me feel like I have a place somewhere. They took me in when I felt lost and showed me that I did not always have to feel that way. I know, I know, it all sounds corny, but I’m not lying. My appreciation for these girls is through the moon, because now I never have to worry about having no one, I’ll always have them. Lettuce Legends loves me for me, and for that I am so thankful.
