It was my first time at the tango lesson. I’d never tried to learn such a complex dance before. I was nervous. Laura sat down beside me, sizing me up. “So…what’s your deal?” she queried. It was then I knew we were going to be friends.

From breakfast parties to dress-up parties (the two often combined), my time spent with Laura has been some of the best in my life. She just graduated from MSU and is next off to a prestigious internship in Philadelphia for the summer and then starts on her Master’s of Public Health at Boston University in the fall. She loves Jesus. She loves dancing. She loves making yummy food. I love her.

Last week I got to spend the morning with her as she played dress up and brought out her inner super model. Isn’t she just gorgeous? I’m going to miss her like crazy, but I’m also crazy proud of her. I know she’s going to leave a huge impression on this world.