Northern California, USA

During my senior year of high school, I thought a lot about my college experience. What school will I go to? What dorm will I live in? Who will my roommate be? Will I make good friends? I spent a lot of time thinking about my roommate and praying that it would not only work out but I would find a friend in her.

Lexi was the roommate I prayed for, the friend I hoped for, and a person I aspire to be like. This summer, I spent a week with her and her extended family in the Bay Area in California, and it was nothing short of amazing.

Lexi’s family owns a Mexican restaurant in Ceres, California, where the family gathers. Their conversations were filled with laughter, and as I watched them interact, I realized that this was a family everyone desired. Not only are they light-hearted, joyful, and keep you humble, but love is the center of all they do. They will stop at nothing to support you, care for you, and love you.

—

People. That should be at the forefront of all that we do. I came on this trip because I wanted to see more of the world and be with my friend, but I realized just how important people are. People will wake up at 5:30 every morning to pray over you. People will give you hard truths. People will make you laugh until you can’t breathe. People will make this whole life worth living.

During this trip, I got to see a lot of beautiful things: the Golden Gate Bridge, the Painted Ladies, etc., but what was even more beautiful were the people.

Invest in the people you love. Share your struggles and victories with people worth trusting—experience conversations and laughter with new friends that might last a lifetime.