For the past three years, I’ve lived by myself. I really enjoyed the solitude, as well as being able to wander around my place in my birthday suit without worrying about consequences.

When I moved into my current apartment, two-bedroom, it became evident that I would need to find someone to share it with. I was reluctant at first to get a roommate at first. Everyone I knew who was looking would not have paired well with me or was allergic to cats. I debated ads on Craigslist and the like, but I wasn’t sure what I would find. Buying a couch from the Internet is one thing, inviting someone into your home is a whole ‘nother.

When my colleague at the Writing Center, Steph, mentioned that she was looking for a place to spend the four or so months she had left in Grand Forks, I jumped at the chance. I knew Steph well enough to know she wouldn’t strangle me in my sleep, but not well enough that a friendship would be in danger if it didn’t work out.

Don’t get me wrong, I was apprehensive. Steph and I are very different people. She’s more outgoing; I’m more reserved; she’s more bubbly, I’m more cynical. But somehow, the situation has worked out to the point that I don’t want her to leave. It is, in all honesty, nice to have someone around. It’s not something I’ve ever been used to.

Growing up, I was an only child with parents who both worked full time. Most of the time, we lived in rural areas with our nearest neighbors miles away. At one point, I was even homeschooled, meaning I was home alone for vast amounts of time. Please understand, I am not criticizing how my parents brought me up; they did a wonderful job, if I do say so myself. That being said, I am independent to a fault. I work best by myself with plenty of space. I like people, I just need my “me” time.

Having Steph around has been an adjustment to say the least. If the living room is dirty, I’m no longer the only one who cares. We both knew, going into this, that the situation would be temporary. Steph will be done with school in Grand Forks in December and moving away. I’m happy for her, but I was left with a couple of options. I could either start the long search for another roommate, or go back to living by myself.

Both options had their pros and cons, but I guess fate, in a way, intervened. Another friend, who is also graduating in December, was looking for a place. Again, it was the same as with Steph. We both knew the other wasn’t a serial killer, yet we weren’t such close friends that any roommate fight — which will inevitably happen — would end in a loss of a dear friend.

I will miss Steph, but I’m also looking forward to starting again fresh. In the past half year, I’ve learned so much about who I am in relation to other people, as well as how to be a better person.

I learned that sometimes the best way to solve an argument is to admit that I’m wrong. I’ve learned that I am a much cleaner person than I’d originally thought. I learned that sometimes, people get angry and there is nothing that can be done to help. I learned alone time does not mean “me without you” but “me with me.”

Are these selfish lessons? Maybe, but I remind you that these are simply my thoughts from my perspective. With my new roommate, I expect to learn just as many lessons. I’ve always known life to be an adventure. I just never knew you didn’t have to go through it entirely by yourself.

Kjerstine Trooien is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. She can be reached at kjerstine.trooien@my.und.edu