Shannon O'Brien

Shannon Elizabeth O'Brien and I met freshman year of high school. We were both in the same choir class and I, regretfully, introduced myself as Shelly...

It was an awkward first impression and the nickname didn't stick well. But that is how we first met.

Shannon and I didn't become friends until Speech, which is what brought us together. Every Wednesday, our favorite speech coach at the time, Mr. Nebor, would take all of the novice Public Address Kids (PAK) and do PAK Wednesday. We would all go into a classroom and perform our speech for the other PAK kids with Nebor as the judge.

Shan was in Original Oratory and I did Special Occasion Speaking. So while we looked forward to working with Nebor, we were also so nervous every Wednesday.

"He so cute. But he would drill us!"

Shannon said. We had spent everyday after school at speech practice, plus extra time on Wednesdays, and every Saturday we were together from 6am to 6pm. In between rounds at speech competitions we would eat lunch together and play card games. We even roomed together at State freshman year.

But, Shannon and I didn't become best friends until sophomore year of high school. We always had mutual friends so we would hang out often. But that summer, changed us all. Summer 16 was one of the best summers ever. Between sweating our *sses off at swallow cliff and getting ice cream at La Michocana with our friends Jess, and Armanda, we were together all time.

Outside of speech and classes, Shannon and I bonded over our love for Operation Snowball. We were both very involved and came to be on the staff. As student leaders we helped plan the retreat. This retreat encouraged students to be the best version of themselves. There people were able to talk about heavy topics like drug and alcohol abuse in their lives and the lives of those around them, and they also got to make great connections to people in the school district.

This picture below is Shan and I at her first snowball retreat. The dance theme was neon! The second picture is both of us at our last retreat. We both helped plan this one and the theme of it was Don't let the world change your smile, let your smile change the world. We also had a pajama party!

From choir, to Speech, to Operation Snowball, to Drama Club, to Show choir, the memories Shannon and I share are infinite. I am so grateful for our friendship because it just happened. We seamlessly became best friends. Shannon is absolutely hilarious and I know I can trust her with my life. After highschool we both moved away from our hometowns. We both went to different colleges, but we are both still so connected.

We stay in touch and every break from college we get together with the friend group and it's just like old times. I remember in high school Shan and a lot of our friends would laugh at me because I would always say,

"Are we going to stay friends? What if something happens and we aren't friends anymore?"

because I loved the memories we were making. Not all of my high school friendships lasted. But I was foolish to think that Shan and I wouldn't stay friends forever.

Armanda, another one of Shannon and my best friends, was right there with us. Through the ups and downs of show choir, loving speech and of course Mr. Badger, we loved high school so much because we knew at the end of the day everyday we would always have each other. I loved the stupid stuff we would laugh at. I loved when they would mock the stupid sounds I make. Or how we would sit in the car and make bad rap videos together on Christmas night. If one thing hasn't changed, it's that at the end of the day, everyday, I know we will always have each other.

Shan and Armanda aren't just my best friends. They're family. We may not spend every waking moment of our time together because we're all spread out in college. But, as soon as we all come back, that's our time. We get to come home for Thanksgiving break knowing not only are we all feasting with our own families, but we're feasting with each other. Our own little family.

Jessica, Devin, Derrick, Armanda, Shan and I have all been super close since summer 16. Friends have come and gone in that friend group but the six of us have always kept a strong friendship.

To me, Shannon is trustworthy. She is confident and classy, never afraid to speak her mind. She is funny and kind hearted. She goes out of her way to make others smile and I couldn't picture my life without her in it. She even started her own local business making earrings! They are super cute so I'll link her page at the end of this blog so you can check them out!

Shannon is supportive, talented, creative, ambitious and so much more! But I know I am not the only one who recognizes that Shan is beautiful on the inside and out. When I asked our friends, they said,

"Shannon is...

...literally a goddess! She is gorgeous, sweet, funny, and talented. Just an amazing human being!" -Grace Forberg

...literally the coolest. Everything about her is cool. Her hair, her makeup, her clothes. But the thing is she's so smart and she is hilarious. I just love her. I'm so happy she's the better half of Shannah." -Hannah Bargouthi

...the artsy girl that everyone wishes they were." -Jack Krickl

...such a great friend. She's stylish af." -Armanda Plaines

...such a light in my life. Whenever someone is upset, Shannon can make you laugh like no other. Anyone would be lucky to have a friend like her and to have her talent and style." -Jessica Xiques

...a pretty great little sister. Hilarious, fun, and caring- couldn’t ask for better." -Kaitlyn O'Brien

...a good friend who’s always down for anything. A get together with friends, a random tattoo trip, seeing a movie or playing animal crossing. She’s loyal, trustworthy, funny, and even though I’ve only known her a relatively short amount of time I consider her one of my closest friends." -Dougi3

...really creative and makes the cutest earrings. She's super intelligent and so pretty!" -Noor Awaidah

...one of a kind soul whose humor makes you feel involved no matter how out there it can be." David Threat

...a very passionate person when it comes to her beliefs and is never afraid to speak out or stand up for herself. She is a great friend who is always down to go on adventures or participate in sketchy activities. She always has a list of wild things that she wants to do and nine times out of ten she actually does them! She’s always fun to be around and takes very little begging when it comes to going somewhere or trying new things, and when she’s not satisfied she does something about it. I love her to death." -Rylee Carpenter

...an extremely creative and beautiful person filled with aesthetic style and joy. Being friends with someone who is so intelligent and funny make life, especially in times like we're in now, much more enjoyable." -Devin Jackson

...my sunshine she makes me happy when the sky is gray. On many occasions she has been my rock. To her friends she is extremely loyal, generous and kind. She gives her whole heart. Her sense of humor and laugh are contagious. You are a lucky person if Shannon is in your life!" -Kelly (Shan's Mom)

So don't just take my word for it, but take all of our words for it. Shannon Elizabeth O'Brien truly makes the world 'laugh a little louder, smile a little brighter, and live a whole lot better.' We are all blessed to have Shan in our lives.

Don't forget to take a look at her page if you are interested in super cute earrings! Click the link!

https://www.mercari.com/u/253606451/