This I Believe

As college slowly comes to an end, it is a bittersweet feeling. Through the wonderful experiences that I have had, and the amazing friends that I have made, I feel truly blessed.

Last year, when many of my friends graduated, I began a tradition in my sorority for our seniors to share their words of wisdom through a This I Believe dialogue. In sharing essays about their experiences, people are able to describe the core values that describe their day to day lives.

As graduation approaches, it was now my turn to write a This I Believe. I teamed up with my friend Caity and while getting drinks last Friday night, we realized we wanted to write about the importance of true friendship and how much this relates to the Disney movie, Toy Story. Yes, nerdy I know, but from the heart and fun was what was important to us. Feel free to read our This I Believe:

We believe in the value of true friendship. A true friend is someone who knows all about you, yes the good and the bad, but still loves you anyways. We feel that our sorority has facilitated many lifelong friendships for ourselves, as I'm sure it has or will for all of you.

We believe that the value of true friendship can be shown through our favorite movie series - Toy Story.

In the first movie, it becomes clear that Woody is extremely jealous of his new toy-mate Buzz Lightyear. In attempt to get rid of the competition, Woody loses the respect of his fellow toys and ends up stranded at Sid's house where he was NOT a happy camper. Through valient efforts to make it home, Woody learns that jealousy got him nothing, but a truce and a friendship with Buzz that would lead him home to happiness.

In Toy Story 2, the viewers learn the meaning of true friendship. After Woody is kidnapped, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of Andy's toys take up the mission to rescue Woody from his captor. This involves an extremely long trek through the suburbs to find Woody and the rest of the Round-Up Gang. In the end, it is important for friends to stand up for one another, and take risks to rescue each other from certain danger. Not unlike rescuing a fellow sorority sister from the "Fish Tank Trick" at a fraternity.

Toy Story 3 came out nearly 11 years after the second, creating nostalgia among its biggest fans who are now "grown-ups." Because of its late release, it reminds us all of what it's like to grow up. At the end of the film, Andy must make the big decision to park with his beloved toys. In a moment that brings tears to our eyes, we reflect on what it was like to make a life-altering move away from our own family home to the University of Washington. Although we may be far away from some of our favorite childhood possessions, we have learned to cope, grow, and maintain a positive outlook for our futures.

The overall theme throughout the Toy Story series is that of laughter and love. Through the hardships we have faced, and the challenges that may be ahead of us, we know to always fall back on friends for laughter and love.

Whenever you need a reminder of a true friend, listen to the song, "You've Got A Friend In Me;" and remember that you do have a true friend everywhere you look.

This WE believe.