Many people say that college is the best four years of your life. It's a time when you get to discover who you are away from home. It allows you to narrow your focus of study to something that you are passionate about, and maybe most importantly, it has the potential to bring you some of your best friends.

This definitely rings true for junior nursing major Marie Torosian and junior Biblical studies and languages major Sydney Whittaker, who gravitated toward each other almost immediately after their arrival as freshmen on the Union University volleyball team.

"She's from Virginia," Torosian said. "I'm from Chicago, so when you're coming into this and you're a freshman, you feel like your whole life is falling apart. And I feel like Sydney really understood that in the sense that when all of our teammates were able to go home for the weekend, we were kind of stuck here after a game or when everybody's out with their families. It was just so comforting to have, and that I think drew us in initially like, 'Okay, we're not alone in this.'"

Both Torosian and Whittaker loved the fact that Union is a Christ-centered university and that they would be able to pursue their respective passions as well as play volleyball. They are also both extroverts and wanted to be as involved as possible in different events on campus. Knowing that they had someone to do those things with was another draw for the two best friends.

Although their friendship may have started out because of something simple like distance from family or wanting to put themselves out there to make the most of their time at Union, it has grown into something much deeper and more meaningful.

"Marie has taught me a lot about friendship and listening and just being with people when they can't even be themselves," Whittaker said. "And so, I'm just thankful for someone who's been patient with me and walked with me in every season of being here because it's challenging."

Their friendship is anything but superficial. Torosian and Whittaker talked about sharing with each other not only the good things in life but also the bad, which at times has warranted some tough conversations.

"I think that's something that is so important about our friendship is we're not afraid to also have difficult conversations and call each other out," Torosian said. "I wouldn't be growing into the woman and the person I'm becoming if I hadn't had some of the incredibly difficult conversations we've had to do. This is just the truest friend I've ever had."

Whittaker sees it as no coincidence that she and Torosian found each other at Union but instead an intentional work of the Lord.

"It was just something so beautiful, and I think so like just a gift from God of being fully known by someone and fully loved by them," Whittaker said. "And I think that we get a few of those people in our lives, and it's just a testimony of Christ and putting us together. But just knowing someone knows you completely and also still loves you completely has just been amazing."

Both Torosian and Whittaker gave advice about finding your people, including going outside of your comfort zone, making connections with people in your classes, and not settling for anything less than the group of friends that God has for you.

"I would definitely say number one, put yourself out there," Whittaker said. "Don't be afraid to meet new people. I was awkward my freshman year. I didn't know how to meet people, but just keep pushing yourself out of your comfort zone because you will find people you click with. There are so many good people at Union, and I just really truly believe God places people here for a purpose."

Now, over two years since their first meeting, Torosian and Whittaker can't imagine what their lives would be like without each other. They are thankful for the Lord's providence and look forward to how their friendship will grow and flourish in the years to come.

"If I didn't know Syd, I would genuinely be so lost," Torosian said. "She is my grounding person, and this friendship means so much to me in so many ways. This is something that is so important to me for the rest of my life, and I'm forever indebted to Union for it, for bringing us together."

To hear the whole conversation, click the picture above or visit UUAthletics on YouTube.