Hi I’m Joy! I’m not really one to write a blog post but if there is something I could talk about all day long it’s Genevieve. So here I am. And if you know me you probably have already heard me talk about Genevieve. She’s my best friend and I could talk about her the rest of my days. It’s funny to me that we have only been friends for a fraction of my life because she was a fast friend, a true friend, and a forever friend. I wish I could tell you a cool story about how we became friends, but I would be lying to you if I did. We definitely met on the Samford 2024 Instagram account. It’s true. We both needed a roommate and it just made sense. We messaged on instagram for a little but quickly began to write each other letters to get to know each other from afar. We met for the first time on freshman move in day as we set up our dorm room. That room would come to hold lots of card games, peanut butter sandwiches, handstands, and a mega bed that took up the whole room. I never really understood upperclassmen being nostalgic about their room in Vail until I spent time with Gen in Vail 114. Gen was my freshman year roommate turned every year roommate. And geez, I wouldn’t want it any other way!!
Time with Gen is lifegiving and rejuvenating. Not always because of the conversations we have but because of the presence she brings. Many of my favorite moments with Gen are very simple. They are laying in the grass on a sunny day, sitting at Seeds for hours reading, and making the same dinner of broccoli, sweet potatoes, and brown rice over and over and over again. If you come over to our house odds are that’s what you’re eating. While time with Gen is simple, time with Gen is also fun. We truly do have so much fun together. It looks like stargazing and finding the big dipper on our glow in the dark stars in our bedroom. It looks like driving across the country together listening to the same song over and over again if I'm on aux (and she lets me play it over and over! She’s just the best!) It’s making breakfast together and driving to the beach for the day. It's sitting in the park and eating burritos together. It’s camping in the middle of nowhere and forgetting to shower for way too long because we are simply just having fun and didn’t even think about it. Life with her feels like a sunny day with chips and guac, but also a rainy day drinking tea. Really just whatever it needs to be for that time.
Equally as it’s fun, it’s life giving. Gen has a way of bringing depth to every conversation. She does this in a way that is very grounding while also leaving space. She allows you to be exactly who you are and where you are while also leaving you room to grow and change. Time with Gen is refreshing and reminds me of who I am and who I want to be. She allows the spirit to be woven into all conversations and it is a blessing to bear witness to.
My friendship with gen is a sweet gift from the Lord. She teaches me daily about his character in the way she lives her life. Genevieve teaches me what grace looks like in a very tangible way. Her friendship is a gift! She is my favorite hug and simply the best that I know. I truly adore her more every day and never want to know a life without her by my side.
