I had a hard time transitioning into college and still believe that I really should have taken a year off after high school, I just wasn't ready. Coming from a town like mine where my graduating class had 78 students, I knew everyone, everyone knew me and everyone knew each other's life stories. After moving into the Umass dorms, I realized that not only did I not know anyone, they didn't care to know my life stories. My freshman experience was less than fabulous. I consistently dealt with girls that Lainey, Stac and I dubbed "biddies." You know the type, think NY or Jersey girl stereotype, who is just a little too tan, a little too blonde, a little too dumb and wears little clothing. The girls who wear mini-skirts and pumps to class in the middle of the winter and is dressed to the nine's to walk across campus (a 30 minute walk) when it is below 10 degrees, plus wind. Before Umass, I didn't know these girls really existed except in movies, they just rubbed me the wrong way, especially since they all seemed to live in my dorm.
After time, I realized that in-state and some out-of-state students all were hanging out with their friends from high school. Some of the high school groups became friends with other high school groups, but very few did not acknowledge their hometown friends. What a relief for me. Lainey, Stac and I were pretty much inseparable. Freshman year came and went and while coming into my sophomore year, I realized that Umass was not for me. I could not picture myself continuing another 3 years and being content as a graduate from Umass Amherst. Granted, the Umass School of Business is ranked one of the top in the nation alongside programs at Harvard and Yale. But that just wasn't enough for me. I wanted to get out and see a different part of the world. If I didn't leave Umass, I would never leave Massachusetts. After doing my research and finding a school with a decent journalism program (because that was what I intended to change my major to) I decided upon the University of South Carolina.
On January 1, 2005 my parents and I were heading down 95 with a carful of my college stuff, clothes, decorations, bedding, everything you could imagine. I had left my life, my friends and my family and was headed to Columbia, SC, where I did not know a soul. I had chatted with my roommate over instant messenger briefly and she seemed nice enough. I was nervous, but not in a bad way as I was when I left for Umass, it was an excited nervous.
After settling into life down south, my roommate, Megs, and I became fast friends. We were soon inseparable. We did everything together. She became more of a sister than family. One of those rare friends that you only find a few of in your lifetime. After school ended, she was moving down to Charleston, SC with a bunch of our guy friends from the Citadel. I headed down to help her move in. The night we arrived, we were lounging around with the guys, having a few drinks. I was laying on the futon and suddenly, this guy I had never met before strolled in. I glanced up and immediately noticed how good-looking he was, blond hair, blue eyes, tan skin, perfection. After introducing ourselves, I pulled Megs into the kitchen.
"Who is that?" I asked.
"Oh, Scotty?" she smiled. "Ash, he has a serious girlfriend, plus he's a huge flirt."
Disappointed, we returned to the bedroom where everyone was hanging out. Scotty and I stayed in touch over the summer and remained friends for a long time. Eventually, Scotty became Hubby and the rest is history.
As my parents and I made our way down to SC for graduation this past weekend. I could help but think how fast the last five years have gone by. It seems like yesterday that I was driving to Umass. I can't help but think of how blessed I am that I chose to transfer to Carolina. If anything had happened differently, Hubby probably wouldn't be Hubby. If I hadn't been randomly assigned to have Megs as a roommate or if we didn't hit it off so well. If Hubby hadn't decided last minute to apply to the Citadel or if he had decided to transfer to Dayton his sophomore year. It's all fate.
However, lucky for us, we chose to do what we did and it has obviously worked out. I am just so happy that my college years have come and gone and now I can move on with my life. All I have to do is wait for Hubby to come home.
No comments:
Post a Comment