Some of these people, who are all old now, some married, some with kids, some with Ph.D's even, some of these people left an indentation on my life, that has curved it to what I am now.
The first time I properly met Salah, at the time I only knew his name, the first time, I was in the library, all alone up in the 3rd floor and I was sat in the corner on a table crying my eyes out, I was all alone, I had no friends and my family was away. And that's when he walks in, sees me, pulls a chair and sits beside me. He asked me what's wrong, and I blurted out everything to him. Next thing I know he was drying my tears, he took my hand and he introduced me to his 4 guy friends. He then looked at me and said "I know we're all guys, but we'll do for the time".
Next thing I knew, he transferred all my labs with him and for the first time, I had a lab group, and I was a part of something.
And to this day. I am never alone because somewhere, somehow he's always there too.
Salah taught me trust, to trust a stranger who then turns out to be the best person on earth.
Mustafa on left, Salah on right, both good friends
Sana, well, what can I say, its not the fact that she's cool, or funny or trustworthy, its the fact that she's always been there, always consistent and most of all understanding. Even after 6 years. My darkest days, when I'm all angry and upset, she looks at me, points a finger and laughs in my face and then says " I know". That's all it takes to get me laughing.
Allie, hmmm Allie, well when I was 5th grade, I went with my parents to their friends house who had a daughter, who wasn't only the sweetest nicest girl ever, but later lived to become my most loved best friend. My family always travelled around the world, she always lived in the same home, yet somehow, I always end up with her. I shared my first crush with her. At the age of 13, and it was the same time I'd met another super mega awesome friend, Marwan. Who stood by my side.
Its not a friend who's a friend, its a friend who's there for you when you're in a complete all time low that's a friend.
A friend once sang a song about me, I only remember this part of it: "Everyone that passes you by the street misses the chance to be with the most extraordinary girl in the world". Its something I'll never forget, something I keep deep in my heart.
Cousins don't count, you see because they're cousins, you love them unconditionally and they love you the same. I have 21 first cousins who I love all equally, but differently.
My cousin May and I, at age 1.
My friend Sinan once said "If I have to choose between friends or family, I'll always choose family". You see, true friends, true people will never ever make you go through a decision like that.
True friends for me aren't just people, they're the ones who let me share the pain with them, whether mine or theirs. Its for all the times you stood in the rain together.
Bet you didn't think I'm that deep now did you ;)
