never pass up a chance...

The first night I spent on campus as a freshman, our Frosh-O councilors taught us my first and favorite lesson about life under the dome:

Never pass up a chance to go to the grotto with a friend ... even it's 4 am or it's freezing cold, always take the opportunity. You will learn some of the greatest things about people on trips to the grotto.

Well, over the past three years I have never forgotten this lesson. No matter the circumstances, whenever a friend has asked me to go to the grotto, I have always gone. No matter what. In return, I have had friends drop everything to go with me to the grotto. I have some fantastic memories at the grotto. I have had some amazing nights there ... tonight was one of those nights.

I was snug in bed at 11:45 (which NEVER happens), when my friend Brianna sent out a text:

"Would anyone be interested in making a trip to the grotto conmigo?"

Well, this may not seem very significant, but to get this message from Brianna was a very big deal. In the three years I have been at Notre Dame, she has never asked us to go to the grotto. So of course, I offered to go. Even though I was snug in bed, already in my pajamas with my teeth brushed, I knew I needed to make the trip ... so I climbed out of bed, put on some shoes and threw on a jacket ... and off we went to the grotto.

Claire met us downstairs, then we stopped by CoMo to pick up Justine and made the five minute walk to the grotto.

We lit our candles.

Touched the rock from Lourdes.

Said our prayers.

One by one, we sat down on a bench. Justine, me, Brianna, Claire. We sat there, silent, but oh so happy to be there together. In all honesty, I have made many trips to the grotto, but something about this one was different. The four of us sat there quietly, knowing that nothing needed to be said. We have all have a stressful week and with the end of the semester quickly approaching, it is only getting more hectic from here. But for those few peaceful minutes, it was just four best friends being there for each other, simply by being.

It is nights like tonight when I realize that I am home. I realize that it is possible to have two homes, to make new friends, and if you are lucky, like me, to create a whole new family.

I am so thankful for my ND family. They make life here ever so sweet.

I am so glad I never forgot the lesson from that first night.