At the beginning of this year I was celebrating the clock striking midnight on New Year’s alongside my best friend, as per our tradition. Little did we know that we’d only get to see each other once more before the whole world would fling into chaos.

This time has marked a shift in the way we must go about our everyday lives and in my personal outlook on life itself. If this year thus far has taught me anything it’s that time is precious. There’s no telling what tomorrow may bring, so cherish life as you know it.

With each passing day in quarantine I began to treasure how I was living pre-pandemic. The simple things that I had not appreciated before, I missed. More than anything, I missed being able to freely see my friends. I think I’ve been going so stir crazy during this time not because I’ve been bored or I can no longer go out to public places, but because I’ve been unable to have a typical hang out. You never realize how mentally necessary it is for you to be around those that bring you the utmost joy, and that understand you best, until you’re no longer allowed to do so. 

It wasn’t until this month that I was finally able to see my best friend before she was to head back to college. This would be the first time in months that I’d be visiting with any of my friends. Although her school called for all students to “quarantine” before returning to campus, I was her only exception!

I wasn’t sure how I would feel opening my front door and seeing my best friend again after so long. I never thought the next time I would see her would be behind a medical mask. It felt surreal, but we were both incredibly happy to see one another and fell right back into our normal ways. The night was spent catching each other up on gossip and laughing at the top of our lungs. She was finally able to show me the presents she’s had for me for months both from last Christmas, just because of her forgetfulness, and the one meant for my birthday that was spent in quarantine.

The agonizing wait to see each other was undoubtedly worth it. There’s only one thing I cherish more than life and that is the unbreakable bond I share with my best friend Temora.