Sarah Boerma

A photo of Kayla and I after the 2024 homecoming.

Love is not shown through meaningless words or good morning and goodnight texts; it is found in even the smallest actions. Love is being there for someone when they are struggling or at their lowest. It is the people you go to when you need to talk to someone. Love is ensuring that they know you’ll always be there for them when they need you, not just by telling them but by showing them you care enough about them. Love is an action, not an empty promise.

I would define love as Leah. I don’t have to question whether or not she cares about me. She is my sister, although not by blood. Since becoming friends in first grade, she’s been my comfort person. She is the only place where I can express myself honestly and embrace my weirdest behaviors. I can always trust her to give her honest opinion on any given situation, even though it hurts to hear it. She has shown me love in countless ways, but the most notable one has been being there for me and helping me see the light when I am drowning in the darkness.

I would define love as Kylin. She is the purest person I know, beautiful both inside and out. Kylin could never be mean to someone, even someone who has repeatedly wronged her. I strive to be like Kylin. If I could be half the person she is, I would feel proud of myself. Kylin is a genuine person; I know undoubtedly that I could talk to Kylin without any judgment. 

I would define love as Kayla. I couldn’t ask for a better friend to have by my side than Kayla. She shows up for me the second I need her help, even when I don’t feel capable of talking with anyone. When I am at my lowest, she’s there to raise me back to my highest. I could never express to her how much I love and appreciate her for all the ways she has impacted my life. She is someone who I can relate to and can be relatable with. She knows how to step into my shoes and learn how to comfort me by doing so. 

Love isn’t found in the words “I love you” but in the people who strive to make you a better person. It is putting you over themselves because seeing you struggle hurts them. Love is in the people who show up for you and don’t structure their opinions based on the way you are acting when you are not being yourself. Instead, they find a way to accept the person you are in that moment and still love you unconditionally.

Surround yourself with people like them. Surround yourself with love.