I still remember meeting Holly Normansen (left). When I was in the 2nd grade I heard a new student joining our class. I remember my teacher, Mrs. Eltz, telling us about her. She looked around the class and said one of us shared her name. I looked up to find the teacher now looking at me. Her name was Holly. I just knew we’d be instant friends! Boy, was I wrong. She shared my name and everything else about me! What bothered me most was our similar passion. We were both fascinated with marine mammals. We’d battle off facts and compare our toy whale collection. Only months later did I start to see her in a different light. Beginning with nothing more than a “if you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em” attitude, Holly and I started to become…. friends. Our friendship blossomed. She became my best friend. Known as “the Hollies,” we became inseparable. Sharing no classes after elementary school we hung out between and after classes. Later on, greatest similarity became our passion for music. Holly’s an amazing violinist while I have always been rooted in choir. My senior year of high school I was chosen as lead in our annual musical. Holly was never to far away. Usually lead violinist in the productions’ orchestra, that year she joined me onstage in the cast. That production holds some of the best memories of my life! Our bond has more than time for an attribute. Her family feels like an extension of mine. Growing up I had religious differences with members in my home. I found refuge in Holly’s home when I felt nearly persecuted in my own. The Normansen’s never made me uncomfortable when I stayed over. To this day her house feels like home. I am currently a student at Oregon State University, and Holly is working in Eugene. Regardless of distance we communicate everyday. We daydream about our future travels. One day we hope to work abroad in England together. We dream about Australia, France, and even Disneyland! Although our farthest excursions include weekend bonfires at the coast in the summer, we keep our plans large. Regardless of where are journeys take us, be it Australia or downtown, our dreams and passions are as alive today as they were back in the 2nd grade. I’m not going to lie though. This Australia vacation was made for us!