When Monica Met Rachel: A Love Letter to Friendship

Written By: Aashka Shroff

Graphic By: Temi Idowu

In total, there are five seasons: four real ones (spring, summer, autumn, winter) and one social one (cuffing). Cuffing season is the best time to celebrate our romantic relationships, but during this season, we often forget to celebrate our platonic ones. This love letter is dedicated to you; thank you for being the Monica to my Rachel, the Christine to my Stevie, and the Cece to my Jess. 

To my beautiful friends, 

I remember our senior year of high school, when the world was in the thick of a global pandemic, and we still found ways to see each other. We’d sit in your backyard in 40 degree weather, bundled up in blankets and giggle for hours on end. You’d listen to me fawn over my latest celebrity crush and I’d listen to you (unconvincingly) try to prove birds were federal agents. During this time of our lives, I experienced a lot of anxiety. I was applying to college and I hadn’t been around a group of more than 5 people in months. But, every time I felt unsure, there you were, with Ribs queued up on Spotify and your patio lights on. 

I remember late nights in Jester, when you’d let me crash for the weekend and we’d stay up playing Truth or Dare. I’d dare one of you to roll down the hallway, you’d dare me to scream the lyrics to Holdin’ Out For a Hero into the vents, and I’d dare the other to take a shot of oat milk and wine. When we inevitably got tired; I’d talk and you both would listen til I fell asleep. I used to hate going back to my quiet apartment in the morning because it meant an end to all of the fun. Now, we all live together; the apartment is never quiet and my heart is always full. 

I remember long dinners that ended in tears of laughter and torn up straw wrappers in the trash. We teased each other over Potbelly sandwiches, dining hall spring rolls, and Titaya’s Pad Thai. Our dinners consisted of one person mispronouncing a word (usually me) and the rest of the table finding a way to incorporate it into every following conversation. Some days it felt like I had given so much away. I felt depleted, empty and emotionless. Yet, somehow, I could always count on weekly dinners to remind me that I could end a bad day with a full stomach and a full heart. 

College is a scary time in our lives. We’re not really adults but we’re definitely not kids anymore. It’s scary knowing that after 2 years, we’ll start leading real lives. Real lives that consist of us working 9-5s and hosting dinner parties rather than going to a 12 pm lecture and coming home at 3 am from a night out. What won’t change is that I will always have you. 

Thank you for everything. 

With all my love, 

Aashka