Loved

Ever since I was a little girl, I always wanted a surprise party thrown for me. Granted, that statement probably makes me sound a bit egotistical, but I always looked at people who had surprise parties thrown for them as being truly loved. I have known my entire life that I am loved from family and friends galore but a deep part of me from childhood still longed for that surprise party.

Well, this Wednesday night, my longing was fulfilled. My close friends at Carson Newman completely surprised me with a Going Away Party. As I walked into my friend's house, thinking I was arriving to surprise another friend for her birthday, I walked into a room of people whom I love deeply at CNC. I was surrounded in love by people who journeyed with me these past four years and who make my life complete. In this room my friends represented all different aspects of my past four years, and I was reminded of what rich community I come from at CNC.

UBUNTU is one of my favorite ideas arising out of South Africa, "I am because we are." And in that house Wednesday night, UBUNTU was alive. I am because of all the people who gathered Wednesday night. Every laugh, tear, late night chat, faith discussion, coffee date, walk, run, prank, Wal-Mart visit, and fun I have had these past four years with the people that gathered helped shape me into who I am today. I am forever grateful for those gathered in that room on Wednesday because in that room Wednesday I was reminded that friendships do matter and time spent loving people for who they are really does matter. I give thanks to God for blessing me with such wonderful people whom I am lucky enough to call "friend."