Person 17: Sam

Sam was my best friend in high school. We actually met at freshman orientation but didn't see each other again until the second day of the second semester in high school, where we found ourselves sitting next to each other in English 1H. She looked at me and said, "I remember you! You ran for ASB and I voted for you!". And then we were friends.

We fought a lot and sometimes we weren't allowed to hang out with each other, like when her dad thought that we were "together". But I thought that Sam was amazing when she didn't, and I think she thought that I was, too. She was weird. She wrote a lot of poetry. She drove a van that didn't have a back seat and would sit back there and play the guitar. Sam loved the idea of sticking up for those that couldn't do it for themselves. And she loved everyone, even those weird goth lesbian girls at school.

After graduation Sam got pregnant. And two weeks after finding out she got married. And that brings her to where she is today. She's not attending college, but she has a beautiful 2 1/2 year old daughter and a husband. They just celebrated their third anniversary. And she owns her own home. Things haven't always been easy for them. They're young. And it's hard having a baby when you're not even used to being married yet.

When Sam got pregnant she didn't tell me. I found out from her older sister, who was just thrilled that she wasn't the screw up in the family for the moment. I was really hurt, but then I understood why she didn't tell me. I was pretty much the most judgemental person she knew and I was her best friend. How could she tell me? And at that moment I forgave her. She didn't need my forgiveness and I suppose I wasn't even in the right to give it. But I did. I understood that she had made a mistake and had felt badly about it. But I loved her anyway.

Sam taught me how to forgive others for their mistakes. Not their trespasses against me, but just things that they do that they shouldn't have. She taught me to be less judgmental and more loving. I am a stronger, more loving, caring and understanding person today because of the things she has taught me.