In the days leading up to my first day at BLS, I got a follow request from Caitlin Donovan. I usually didn’t accept people I didn’t know, but since she was going to BLS too, I thought, why not? Little did I know, she would become one of my closest friends.

One thing I will always admire about Caitlin is that she is not afraid to try new things. I first messaged her because she posted her fashion design and said she wanted to join the Fashion Club. We then met doing theater together in seventh grade, and I have this vivid memory of her in a long green dress for the show. In ninth grade, we moved on to Model UN and I have a very embarrassing photo of us in our little blazers together. Then at the end of sophomore year, when the Argo was looking for more A&E writers, I recommended her and we had that together too.

She took it a step further than me though, and joined a magazine and did a journalism camp, which I will also be doing this summer. We’re academically matched and I’ve always felt like Caitlin and I have pushed each other to become better; we’re even working at the same internship this summer. She is so smart and I have always admired her intelligence and thoughtfulness. For many friendships, COVID-19 and complete social distancing made things strained, but for Caitlin and I, it brought us closer together. We ate together on Zoom everyday and watched shows and movies on Netflix Party. There were also masked bike rides and outdoor chats around a fire pit, all of which are memories that give me a warm feeling and put a smile on my face. I’ve always been so sure that we would stay friends for the rest of our lives because she just gets me. I honestly swear that we can read each other’s minds with just a look.