Wolf Pack

It all started during orientation, our first day of college, at SPU:

Courtney and I lived next door to each other, and with first impressions aside, we were inseparable. But, we were oposites: she had blonde hair, I had brown. She was nice and accomidating, I was a little pushy and obnoxious. She thought I was consided, I thought she was a ditz. How we actually became friends, I'm not sure... But it didn’t hurt that we had two of our three classes together.

One of those classes is where we met Miss Kelly Ranck: Seeing History through Clothes.. (the rich texture and blending of colors in 1890...). After coveting Kelly’s wardrobe everyday in class, Courtney and I finally got the courage to talk to her, and we started having “study” dates in the third west lounge. On a drive from Salem to Seattle, after breaking up with me (Kalama!), Jared dropped me off at the dorms and the only person around was Kelly, who patiently "pettyed" my back and handed me tissues as I cried.

Kelly talked to Courtney, and Courtney hooked me up with Leann, who had also just gone through a recent break up. Poor Court, sitting in Gwinn across from Lee and I, putting up with us while we were too upset to eat, and vulnerable to cry when “The Fray” was played over the Gwinn loudspeakers. Lee and my relationship might have started over breakups, but as we grew closer together we realized we had a lot more in common. She eventually moved in with Shelbs across the hall from me and Sarah Ball and became my neighbor.

Since my futon was temporarily out of service for unexpected sanitary issues, I spent a lot of time hanging out with Kelly in a room occupied by some girl named Alex who lived on the first floor. After the first season of watching ANTM together, Al became a regular hang-out buddy.

Court, Lee, Kel, Al and I started a small group together, meeting in the prayer room on third east Ashton. We learned to confided, open our minds, pray together and trust in each other. We were becoming pretty good friends, too good of friends one might say.

On one occasion, Betty #1 (the name will be changed for this persons privacy and self-esteem) got really sick and contracted sores on her butt that, Betty #2, popped for her, in Junghwa’s room. I didn’t really know anything about this Junghwa character whose name couldn’t pronounce, but I am glad we went to her room to watch the Betty #2 strap on her plastic gloves and operate on Betty #1, because Jung became a good friend of mine.

We all started hanging out more, and my wolf pack grew from 5 to 6.

I don’t really know when I realized I had some of the best friends in the world. I think it came from living together on third west Ashton. From our trips together to Whistler, Vancouver, Shoreline, Portland, Salem, Medford, Sacramento, Tahoe and Santa Barbara. The numbing drive back from Stevens Pass after Jared’s accident. Through the support that came weeks, months and years after. From every hug, backrub, arm scratch in class and “I pet you” touch. The beloved community we set up at 810 West Argand Street. Sitting together as our worlds fall apart around us, but standing together as we build new relationships with hopeful futures. Love is in each of the girls: Alex, Kelly, Courtney, Leann and Junghwa. I am a better person to have met each of you. Thank you for letting me into your lives and contributing to mine. I am blessed.