Let me first start out by saying that Sahara May Skagen is one of the best people I know.
When I transferred to BYU, one of the things I was worried about the most was who my roommate was going to be. I prayed so hard that I would find a place to live and roommates who would be fun and accepting. I remember walking into my new apartment and into our room ready to put my stuff down, SO NERVOUS for my classes, a new school and the fact that I had likeeeeee two friends. I had just changed my major on a whim to something I did not know much about but was ready to do all I could to succeed... then I look over at Sahara's bed and she had a book laying there that said "Speech Language Pathology"... the same major that I had just chosen.
*cue sentimental music*
She was and is a huge answer to my prayers.
BUT WAIT, THERE'S SO MUCH MORE.
The first weeks of the semester were really rough for me, but Sahara became such a light in my life. She would leave notes at my desk telling me she loved me, and she had only known me for two weeks!
Gradually, we began to have those "late night roommate talks" where we really grew our bond and shared our lives with each other. There have been a lot of times this past year where the thought has crossed my mind... "I don't know how I would have done this without Sahara."
To me, one of the most important qualities of a friend is one who is slow to respond and quick to listen. I am so grateful for the many UPON MANY times Sahara has lent a listening ear or a tight hug, or the times she has stayed up late with me to dry tears.
Okay, here are some things about US.
One time I poured cold water on her in the shower and she screamed so loud, we both laughed so hard. We both had absolutely NO idea what "netflix and chill" meant... She really likes it when I keep her company outside the bathroom door while she showers so we can talk. Sharing toothpaste our thing, she runs out and uses mine, I run out and use hers. We are the same size in clothes and shoes, it's magical. Diet Coke is our thing, along with snap chat goats and sodalicious runs. She's willing to drive to SLC to pick me up from the airport even when I fly into Provo. #TRUEFRIEND. McDonald's large fries and large sodas are always a win with us. During the semester, we realized our beds were a little too far apart... so we changed that. We are quite content when we make our special salsa and we have a knack for coming up with great ideas for snap chat videos. We have very secific moments where we "dab" in various songs. We will one day post a hip hop video... keep an eye out for it. One time, we were convinced it was Tuesday... and we were mad at Cafe Rio for not serving the coconut shrimp tacos! Turns out... it was Monday.
More importantly, here are some things about SAHARA.
Sahara, "yes, like the desert" as she would say. I have never met someone with such humble confidence in themselves and in the Lord. Sahara helps others grow just by her example. There was one time when Sahara came up to me and said, "I want to write a ton of notes to people and deliver them anonymously so they can feel good!" She is so dedicated to the gospel and it is evident in the way she carries herself, treats others, and teaches her Sunday lessons. She is a returned missionary who gave all she had to those 18 months and still lives her life with diligence to gospel.
Sahara will tell you she loves you time and time again so you will never forget it. She always makes sure that if you need anything, you can reach out to her for help. She has some great dance moves and hilarious voices. When she gets really happy, her voice gets into this high/raspy tone and that's when you know she has reached...
Sahara will tell you she loves you time and time again so you will never forget it. She always makes sure that if you need anything, you can reach out to her for help. She has some great dance moves and hilarious voices. When she gets really happy, her voice gets into this high/raspy tone and that's when you know she has reached...
maximum excitement.
She is pretty good at painting nails, and if she gets any on your skin she will let you know "it will come off when you wash it"... hahaha. If you listen carefully, there are moments when she says things in a Scottish accent. Texts from her will never say, "what are you doing?"... you will get the shortened version... WHAT DOING? She LOVES cup of noodles...she will eat it even when she does not have to. She likes a clean pillow case. One time she thought she could make a DUI blog post instead of a DIY. She's a model at heart and also a hip hop dancer. If she could watch step up daily, she would.
Sahara is one of the few people who will go out of her way to make sure you are okay, whether that requires 10 min or 1 hour and 10, she will be there. She puts others before herself, it is always about what she can do for someone else to make their load a little lighter. She has such an excitement for the scriptures, if she is reading in the same room as you, it is like you are reading, too, because she loves to share and her insights are so applicable. Sahara lives life simply, yet beautifully. She does not need much to make her happy.
She is so smart!
Yesterday we threw her a surprise birthday party and she said she knew something was happening even though we did everything to hide our tracks. I asked her how she knew and she said, "little comments here and there made me assume something was happening." You cannot get one past her!
She loves kids and treasures their attributes. She loves unicorns and even has a unicorn shirt she wears on days to make her extra happy. She likes shirts with cats and tacos, too. Sahara is forgiving, she loves everyone. She is fearless, willing to try something new and have confidence in doing so. Sahara is inventive. She is bold, and brave, trusting wholeheartedly in the Lord through all her decisions. She is adventurous and so kind.
The list could go on and on.
There are a lot of ways the Lord answers prayers, and one way is the blessing of a good friend. The essence of true friendship is putting someone else first, being honest, chaste, loyal and seeking their highest good. Perhaps it is the word commitment that unlocks the real meaning of friendship.
Sahara, thank you for all those encouragements, motivations, guidance, help, smiles, and cheering up. Heavenly Father knew I needed you and for that, I am so grateful.
She is pretty good at painting nails, and if she gets any on your skin she will let you know "it will come off when you wash it"... hahaha. If you listen carefully, there are moments when she says things in a Scottish accent. Texts from her will never say, "what are you doing?"... you will get the shortened version... WHAT DOING? She LOVES cup of noodles...she will eat it even when she does not have to. She likes a clean pillow case. One time she thought she could make a DUI blog post instead of a DIY. She's a model at heart and also a hip hop dancer. If she could watch step up daily, she would.
Sahara is one of the few people who will go out of her way to make sure you are okay, whether that requires 10 min or 1 hour and 10, she will be there. She puts others before herself, it is always about what she can do for someone else to make their load a little lighter. She has such an excitement for the scriptures, if she is reading in the same room as you, it is like you are reading, too, because she loves to share and her insights are so applicable. Sahara lives life simply, yet beautifully. She does not need much to make her happy.
She is so smart!
Yesterday we threw her a surprise birthday party and she said she knew something was happening even though we did everything to hide our tracks. I asked her how she knew and she said, "little comments here and there made me assume something was happening." You cannot get one past her!
She loves kids and treasures their attributes. She loves unicorns and even has a unicorn shirt she wears on days to make her extra happy. She likes shirts with cats and tacos, too. Sahara is forgiving, she loves everyone. She is fearless, willing to try something new and have confidence in doing so. Sahara is inventive. She is bold, and brave, trusting wholeheartedly in the Lord through all her decisions. She is adventurous and so kind.
The list could go on and on.
There are a lot of ways the Lord answers prayers, and one way is the blessing of a good friend. The essence of true friendship is putting someone else first, being honest, chaste, loyal and seeking their highest good. Perhaps it is the word commitment that unlocks the real meaning of friendship.
Sahara, thank you for all those encouragements, motivations, guidance, help, smiles, and cheering up. Heavenly Father knew I needed you and for that, I am so grateful.
Happy Birthday! 25 never looked so good.
