Cali Girl's First Snow

Halie was my first-year college roommate, born and raised in California; she had never seen snow. Oppositely, being born in Minnesota, I grew up hating all things cold: the wind, ice, snow, you name it. But, regardless of my pessimism, in our first winter together, we stood in the window watching small white specks flutter to the ground.

"I can't believe there's snow, Lily!"

"Yeah, and soon there'll be so much that the ground will be completely covered."

"There's MORE snow???"

I will always remember how shocked and delighted she was - I had never seen such joy emanate from the frigid weather. That night, she was outside with her teammates till 2 am playing in the snow (without gloves), and when she got back to our shared space, she was, despite her frozen fingers, overcome with bliss.

This year is our second winter together, and although we may not share a bedroom anymore, we still share the joy of snow. Halie sleds, builds snowmen, and makes snow angels, while I sit in the warmth of our house and watch the fall disappear before my eyes.

I still hate the snow, but I will be forever thankful for the memories it has given my best friend. Plus, the snow makes for a perfect canvas to capture her beauty and joyful soul.