Blog 15: Stella

Hi everyone, time for my fifteenth blog. In this blog, I want to talk about a more recent friendship. As I mentioned before, I have had a bad roommate situation with someone I was once friends with. When we were still friends, I was introduced to one of her friends, Stella. It never occurred to me that Stella would become such a prominent part of my life when I first met her, yet she has, and I am incredibly grateful for that.

Stella and I really became close after the friendship breakup with our once mutual friend. We especially bonded when we traveled on a study abroad program. As I mentioned in my seventh blog, I went to Ireland for three weeks through a short program where I took an English course. I didn’t know anyone going into this program, so I was relieved to see a familiar face upon arriving in Ireland. Having Stella there made the experience so much easier and more enjoyable.

It was during this time that Stella and I really became close. We explored the landscapes in Ireland, hung out in pubs, and even had study sessions together. Some of my favorite memories from that trip are of us wandering into tiny cafés, sipping on the best coffee, and just talking about everything—our lives, our goals, our worries, and our dreams. There was something about being in a completely new place that made our conversations even more meaningful. At the end of the three weeks, we had decided to take a short trip to Amalfi, Italy. It was my dream destination, and she told me she would go and do anything I wanted because she knew how much it meant to me. That in itself showed me the type of friend she is—supportive, selfless, and willing to share in the excitement of my dreams.

Our three days in Amalfi were magical. We spent our time shopping, swimming at the prettiest beaches, eating the best gelato, pizza, and pasta, and exploring the stunning coastal towns. It was everything I had ever dreamed of and more. 

When we returned to Chapel Hill in the fall, Stella moved into the same house as the other roommates and me. When I moved in with Frankie, she was immediately accepting of him. From the moment she met him, she has been nothing but amazing to him. She always lets him out when she can, and she has become one of Frankie’s favorite people. I think he even gets more excited to see her sometimes than me, which I try not to take personally!

Stella has unfortunately gone through a lot of personal issues, so she has spent a lot of time outside of our college house taking personal time. Yet, when I get to see her, it makes every moment even more exciting. She brings an energy that makes everything feel lighter and more carefree.

As our friendship has progressed, Stella has taught me a lot of things. Her perseverance and the dedication she has to herself and her well-being is something that I try to incorporate into my life. I am so proud of her for taking the time to focus on herself to make sure she is in her best state. Stella also has a carefree spirit that a lot of people can’t replicate. When I explain her to other people, I like to say that I don’t think she has an anxious bone in her body. What I mean by this is that she never over-stresses and always makes everything feel a little bit lighter and not as serious—which is especially helpful as I think almost every part of me has some level of anxiety. I envy her ability to go with the flow, and I’ve been trying to learn from her as much as I can.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from Stella is that life doesn’t have to be so rigid. There’s beauty in spontaneity, in embracing the unknown, and in just allowing yourself to enjoy the moment without worrying about what comes next. She’s the type of person who will randomly suggest a late-night drive just to clear our heads or insist that we take a break from studying to grab ice cream, simply because she knows that little things like that make life special.

While Stella and I haven’t been friends for long, she has taught me so much. When I see her, I am reminded to take the time to slow down and not take everything so seriously. I often feel that I over-complicate things for myself, which creates unnecessary stress, but Stella is good at reminding me to take a moment for myself.

Before I came to college, I was incredibly scared of not making friends. But now, I am able to see my college experience in a different light. Making friends in college is not something that should ever be stressful. If anything, the best friendships happen naturally, when you least expect them. Stella came into my life at the perfect time. I was overloaded and stressed, and when she came into my life, she taught me what it means to take a moment to focus on my well-being, no matter what other stresses I have going on.

Thank you, Stella, for showing me how an unexpected friendship can redefine what friendship means. Thank you for reminding me that life isn’t just about pushing through responsibilities but about taking the time to enjoy it, to embrace adventure, and to cherish the people who make it special.