I was so excited for this month's volunteer opportunity. I had read in the Simpson ENewsletter that they were looking for volunteers to help new students move in. I just knew this was something I wanted to do! I emailed the contact and got signed up right away, ordered a new Simpson t-shirt to wear and I was ready to go! I have to admit, this was the only time in all of my volunteering that I was truly excited. I helped in the hospitality tent outside one of the dorms. It was where new students and their families could grab a water or snacks as they were moving in. It was a beautiful morning, you could feel the excitement in the air there, it was easy, I worked with some other alumni/Simpson employees and overall it was just GREAT to be back at Simpson.
I loved Simpson. I feel so lucky that I had the chance to attend a school that I loved. I remember my parents had taken me on two college visits the day I visited Simpson. The first one was Central. It was a nice campus. Our second stop was Simpson. I knew from the second we walked from the parking lot to College Hall that this is exactly where I wanted to be. I just had that feeling. It's the most beautiful campus I had ever seen. The big old trees throughout campus, the old red brick buildings, the peacefulness of it all. I loved it and honestly, at that point, I did not care what programs they had, I just wanted to be there!
Although I lost my way sophomore year, I found my way back to Simpson junior year. And I have to admit, I credit my friends mostly for that. My friends I met at Simpson have become my lifelong friends.
Beth- what would I have done without Bethi. She is the one who got me out of my dorm room that first day. I was crying and home sick and she made me get out and go to the activities with her and some of the other girls on the floor. Beth has been someone who has definitely broadened my world. Coming from Carroll, it seems as if everyone was the same - like we were a bunch of cookie cutter people. Everyone dressed the same, listened to the same music, etc. Beth had a different taste in music, in TV shows, and a different sense of humor. And I LOVE that about her. Beth also introduced me to running (although I'm probably sure she doesn't even know that!). She asked if I wanted to go running one night when it was cold out freshman year. I'm pretty sure I thought she was crazy for even asking me and I was even crazier for accepting her offer. But man did I feel good after that run and I ran for years after that, thanks to her. Beth was also my Campus Security honorary coworker. She did not actually work security with me, but there were a few times she would put on the coat and do rounds with me and keep me company. Beth is funny, she is a wonderful mom to her little boy, a motivated and beautiful person and I don't know what I would do without her in my circle of friends.
Julie- Julie is like my "other sister". Julie lived across from me freshman year. I first got to know Julie when I needed a ride home. Her hometown was near Carroll and I wanted to bum a ride back home from her. All it took was that one car ride and I knew I wanted to be her friend. Sure, some would say I was actually "using" her that first car ride, but it was as if fate was intervening to bring me to one of my dearest friends. We had many DQ stops in Jefferson on the way back to Simpson on Sunday nights. And I'm pretty sure every time I hear 'I Get Knocked Down' by Chumbawumba, I'll think of Julie and our car rides home. We also bonded over leaving a RUSH meeting together when we both decided that the Greek Life was just not for us. When I lost my way sophomore year, Julie didn't forget about me and sent me a few care packages. I'll never forget opening one in the library at BV. It was a silly coloring book, colors, a bunch of little stuff and a card. I remember just sitting there crying and missing my friends so much. I admire Julie because she seems to have the ability to make everyone feel good about themselves and feel like they are her best friend. She is another one of my beautiful friends who is a wonderful mom, a caring person, my go to person whom I love and feel truly feel blessed to have in my circle of friends.
Karen- dear Karen. Karen is someone who again I felt like fate intervened. I was coming back to Simpson junior year and already knew that my friends had their roommate situation all lined up. I was fine with it, I mean I had already had to live with a random at BV, so I could do it again. Besides, this time I knew people at Simpson so I wouldn't feel so alone. And then I met my roommate Karen. We just clicked and instantly became friends. Being with Karen felt like just being myself. She was always there for me although I was not always the best roommate. I could depend on her. She was funny, I felt like we had a lot in common and I really just enjoyed her company. We formed an unbreakable bond. She is one reason I miss working downtown. We used to meet up for lunches and seriously that hour would just fly by. We always have a lot to talk about! I remember visiting her over lunch on her maternity and SHE cooked ME lunch. Backwards, right? That's just Karen. She is the most capable, hard working person I know. Like all my friends, she is a wonderful mother, a caring friend, a beautiful person who likes to have a good time just like me. I love her and my circle of friends would not be complete without her!
Kara- I really got to know Kara better junior year also. She was friends/roommates with my friends. If I remember right, wasn't her 21st birthday party right away junior year? We partied hardy in Weinman for her birthday party and it was a great way to kick off junior year and being back at Simpson. Kara is funny. Plain and simple. She has a sense of humor that I don't think I noticed throughout our college years, but it seems like after every get together, I leave there thinking about how funny she is. Sometimes it's sarcastic humor, but it always cracks me up. Kara's always up for a margarita (which we really should have more often Kara!). And her storytelling abilities about the antics of her two kids are hilarious. She has a knack, but I'm sure her kids would probably take the credit for these stories since they are the ones coming up with these things after all! Kara is also always willing to lend a hand and even lined up one of our meals at Hawthorne Hills which I thought was great! Kara is also a wonderful, competent mom who is so funny and smart and I love having her in my circle of friends.
Tressa - Oh Tressa. Who I originally thought was my friend stealer. :) I first met Tressa sophomore year when my mom and Grandma brought me to Simpson to visit my friends. I also had heard of Tressa because when I went to BV, a friend and I had been in the computer lab checking our emails. I finished early and was waiting for her to get done. I noticed her 'To:' line in her email had all my friends listed in it. I couldn't believe it! I asked her how she knew all my friends! Well, she didn't, but she knew this Tressa girl who I was putting two and two together and realizing that this Tressa girl was taking my spot with friends. Hmm... So, when I made my way back to Simpson junior year, I knew I had to get to know her. Well, we decided right away at The Nadas concert one of those first night to skip the concert, go back to the room and take a few shots and get to know each other since we were friends with the same people. I have loved Tressa from that night on. And not just because she is SERIOUSLY the best cook I know (except senior year after the bar one night when I made her make Mac & Cheese and it was undercooked... :) ha ha ha) We still laugh about that!!!. A funny memory that I have with Tressa is when my Mom and Grandma came to visit. Now, everyone loves my Grandma. But I had to warn Tressa that Grandma counts to three to take the picture, but doesn't actually take the picture until like count 8. I laugh every time I look at that picture Grandma took of Tressa and me, because you can tell we are laughing and counting it out in our heads. Tressa, another wonderful mom, teacher, and friend. My circle of friends wouldn't be complete without her!!
So, as I walked back to my car that day after volunteering, I was flooded with all these memories. Memories of all my friends and our nights out. Memories of working security with all these tough football players who honestly weren't so tough but did get me hooked on Laser 103.3. Memories of either working security at the football games (Robin - remember when I saw you and Sean tailgating there for the Central game?) or going to the football games, memories of being in the fitness room sometimes twice a day, memories of walking through Cowles to get home when the weather was cold (it still smelled the same), memories of skipping class with a coworker to go workout because our Spanish teacher that semester was actually the German teacher, going to Yell Like Hell for homecoming, eating at the Grill ALL THE TIME. And the changes - Barker and Kresge are now coed dorms, the student center is torn down and the temporary one is in Hopper Gym, the security office has changed locations. I walked away knowing what a special place Simpson held in my heart and all the wonderful people who I now have in my life because of it. And as I said Good-Bye to Mildred (the ghost who haunts the bell tower at College Hall), I knew I would be back. I won't be able to stay away anymore from the place that feels like home.
