I know love because I have the gift of real and raw friendships in my life. I know I say it literally all the time, but I don't think I’ll ever be able to put into words just how deeply I feel that statement. especially when it comes to these three women over the past 7 years. it genuinely sounds so crazy to say, but it's even crazier that it's my reality—having the gift of such a nourishing friendship for almost a decade now.

it isn't very clear in my mind how it happened but I remember us crossing paths back in class 6 and deciding to be cubemates. I believe that was the first time we solidified us being… well you know, us. we would do everything together back then. like, literally everything. you’d see one of us and anticipate the other 3. we ate together, shared beds, laughed together, cried together, got involved in silly drama together, got into trouble together, just basically anything you could think of. we argued like crazy too. I remember one time I got mad at Mutanu for going home without saying bye to me, so I swore I’d give her the silent treatment. I didn't even make it past 2 hours.🤣

then came highschool where we were properly separated from each other for the first time. it was nowhere near easy. at all. you literally go from living in each other’s skin to having to face HIGHSCHOOL alone. it was one of the hardest things I had to adjust to. I remember crying on multiple occasions throughout that time, just wishing that my best friends were there because I felt like some parts of me were only for them to understand. it was tough. we’d literally see each other like once or twice a YEAR. but thankfully that chapter ended. we left highschool, all grown up, with so many new friends, new responsibilities, yet still came home to each other. and it's been beautiful ever since.

you know, if these past 7 years have taught me anything it's that family isn't always blood. these women are my sisters. we're each other's family and we say it all the time. I don't know what I would do or who I would be without them.

Neema Sashar, Abigail Amanda and Mutanu Sarah, if you read this, I want you to know that you are very significant to the woman that is Nia Bodil. I genuinely don't think all the growth I’ve experienced over these past years would have been possible without you. you’ve pulled me out of some of the deepest darkest holes I’ve ever been in and for that I’m forever indebted to you guys. all the deep conversations that end in tears, the stupid ones that end in tears too, the fit checks, the countless dates, the yapping videos that fill up my phone's storage, the crazy boy stories that are talked about a million times until we move on, the ridiculously thirsty comments on each other's posts, the uplifting words, the way we just get each other, just us. I wouldn't want it any other way. not at all.

this is my love letter to you girls. I will cherish you for the rest of time. thank you for giving me a reason to smile even on the days where it genuinely didn't seem possible. on the days where it feels like the world is against me, I speak to one of you, or all of you, and I’m reminded why I’m still here. I constantly walk with pride knowing I have already met my soulmates. you could literally strip me of everything I have and I’d still smile knowing my girls are just a call away. even when I have nothing, I always have you. love is just too weak of a word, but I really do love you guys. so much more than you could ever imagine. never forget it.

thank you for being my heart’s most reliable home.