You’ll Always Be More Than a Work Friend
May, 3 2024
Writer: Cameron Bell & Natalia Pinto
When jumping into new experiences and leadership positions, sometimes meeting people is scarier than actually doing the job. One of our worst nightmares is being placed in a project group with a classmate who doesn’t do their work, or running a team with someone you don’t get along well with. Of course, close friendships are not expected, and not even necessary when it comes to being leaders in clubs, but what a blessing it truly is when that does happen.
Within the hour of receiving her acceptance email to be Co-Editor in Chief of Hopelessly Yellow, Natalia received an Instagram follow request from Cameron (we were both eager to stalk each other before the meeting). As much as we hate to admit it, we glanced through each other's Instagram feeds to see who we would be working with just as one would a LinkedIn profile for an investment banking internship. While we didn’t sport business professional suits, we still had a more professional demeanor in our first interaction. Although, after 5 minutes the ice broke, smiles set in, and we knew we were going to work well together. While we were expecting to at least get along with the people on our team, we never could have imagined the beautiful friendship that blossomed. We first met at the growth and gratitude event at the beginning of the semester. Cameron was taking a picture of the flower bouquet she made and Natalia told her she liked her green sweater. Within the first week of editing workshops and pitch meetings, Cameron and Natalia had already Facetimed countless times and knew each other well enough to share knowing glances across the room to each other.
One of the most valued parts of any friendship is to be able to talk to your friend about anything. We talk about Hopelessly Yellow: “I’ll send a Slack reminder about article draft deadlines!” and we talk about the crazy weekend we had: “You will never believe who I bumped into last night.” We don’t get tired of spending time together. We had sushi for dinner (a couple of salmon rolls, some edamame, and diet cokes with lime and lemon). We cried together. We laughed about why we cried together. We are excited to bump into each other on campus and every last hug and laugh is just as lovely as the firsts.
From the very beginning of becoming editor-in-chief together, Natalia and Cameron saw this position as something more than a club role, but a lifestyle. We bonded over our love of the yellow lifestyle, both encompassing something greater than ourselves. Our shared love and passion towards Hopelessly Yellow and all it stands for brought us together as more than co-workers, but friends for life.
To Natalia, thank you for making even the darkest days brighter. Your constant positive energy and contagious smile have gotten me through some of the toughest times of this semester. You are truly one of a kind. Your dedication to the writing and editing team inspires me to put my best foot forward, as you always do. Thank you for making me feel seen, loved, heard, and appreciated. There is no one else I would rather take on this crazy, yet beautiful journey with me. I love you to pieces, Nat. Here is to more amazing, unforgettable memories to come.
-Cam
To Cameron, you are such a light in my life. Through all the crazy times, thank you for making me feel so loved and welcomed. Your bright energy always lights up any room we are in and I can always count on you to start off the meetings with an adorably excited “hi everyone!” Even in stressful situations you always make me giggle and I cannot thank you enough for your dedication to being a positive, inspiring leader and incredible friend. Cam, you have a beautiful soul that encompasses yellow. Your passion and kindness does not go unnoticed and I am so super excited for our continued work and friendship journey together. Love you thiiiiis much.
- Natalia
