the roommates

"I can never stop laughing when I'm with my roommates. Even if something is not funny at all, I can't help but laugh sometimes. We've been together now for a long time; we've been roommates for three years. We've grown so much during our time together. It feels like they knew a completely different version of me three years ago.

I'm so thankful I ended up with the roommates that I did. They are like sisters to me... without the bickering. Girlhood is so important and one of the many reasons I'm so glad that I'm a woman. There really is no other relationship like it... and way better than any other relationship I've known." -

Hanna giggles as she gets ready to go for a walk.

"To me, girlhood is all about trust. I think with women, there is an inherent bond no matter what. You see it in all situations, even things as simple as passing toilet paper under the stall. Girlhood is most definitely different depending on the phase of life you're in, even though I’d argue it never goes away. I act differently with the girls I grew up with since kindergarten then I do with my roommates because I knew them throughout different phases of life.

We experienced girlhood differently; neither in a better or worse way. Although I think there is girlhood among all women, the bond you create within specific friendships is so special. College has been so incredible for me because I've had a strong community of women. I have my roommates and my friends in ROTC. I am so thankful for that.” - Hanna

“Something really crazy to me is that I was able to form a bond with my roommates before we even met. I found my freshman year roommates over Facebook and instantly we connected. By the time I met them, I felt like I had already known them for years. I have a twin brother who hadn’t even called his roommate before moving in. They only emailed each other once, and then just moved in together. That’s insane! Ever since moving in, our relationships have only gotten stronger.

Sure, at some points we were spending more time together but our relationships have never diminished, only strengthened overtime. I can’t believe how lucky I am that all my roommates are my best friends. You hear so many horror stories about roommates but we are such a strong group. As far as little things, I see girlhood within our group everyday. Even something as simple as being able to borrow a shirt without asking or finding a note that someone wrote me like “good luck on your exam” or something like that. Girlhood can be so beautiful.” - Juliana

"Girlhood is as simple as having conversations with your friends after a night out or watching a movie together. Whenever I have a problem or a stressful day, I feel better after talking to any of my roommates. There’s kind of a big group of us… so it feels a bit like a small community and we all serve different roles to support each other in different ways.

It’s fun but also not fun. Sometimes the fact that our relationships are so strong end up really hurting me. Arguments or fights really hurt when they happen and can hurt more than an argument with a boyfriend or family member. I am definitely thankful I have girlhood and would definitely risk the occasional “hurts” for a strong community of girls.” - Harriet