You probably won’t be surprised when I tell you that I was a Communications major in college.  I originally started as a Special Education major because I have a heart for anyone that doesn’t quite fit the mold of what society deems as “normal”, but the clinical hours required were overwhelming. So I picked the next best thing – getting a degree for talking and writing a lot!

It didn’t take me long to realize that California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (aka Cal Poly) was pretty much a school for engineers.  There were lots of boys, lots of Asians, and not a lot of extroverted girls. Most of my general ed classes left me feeling lonely, disappointed, and often met with blank stares as I tried to make everyone my new best friend. That all changed my junior year in Com 409 – Negotiation and Conflict Resolution. I met C and E.  We are still close to this very day. In fact, C came down to visit from Washington this weekend and is making me a sandwich right now.

The moment we met, college became bearable.  Life got better. The sun shined brighter.  Maybe not the last part but it sure seemed like it.  We were soul sisters.  We got each other. C even drove the exact same model 1989 Oldsmobile as me. She bought us matching license plate frames that read: I Make The Car Cute.  The three of us took an epic road trip to Vegas during spring break.  It was one of those formative periods where we were all wrestling with big life choices – relationships, jobs, the future in general. We spent half of the vacation counseling and encouraging one another and the other half enjoying shenanigans that can only happen in Vegas.

C was a year ahead of E and I; she helped us navigate the department, from the best professors to practical internships. E and I took every class together our senior year. We would have sleepovers to study and go dancing to celebrate finals. We would all get together every few months to catch up.  Sure, we covered the expected pleasantries, but always dove deep, caring about the well being and heart of our fellow Broncos.

Here’s where the story gets intense, in the best way. E wanted to make some roots for herself and bought a house in the city where we live. My dad is a real estate agent and helped her find the perfect home. E was particularly smitten by the homeowner and vowed to not only buy the house but to keep the owner around.  They married over  two years ago and have their first baby on the way. C married an adventurous, comical Italian Love Machine who works for Amtrak.  They have two sweet  little girls. Simon hit it off with C’s husband and would eventually get his job with Amtrak because of the connection.

For us college girls, it all started in Com 409.  Every one of you could tell part of your story beginning with the line, “It all started in ___________________.”  And you never know if something that happens today will be that start.

E, C, and I in 2002:

E, C, and I today: