Everlasting Connections: A Love Letter to Friends
Written by: Anna Berkheimer
Shot by: Lizzy Eike
Modeled by: Tanith Frazier, Claire Boumstein, Alyssa Edwards, Maria Goebell, Keke Ketonou, Camila Fuentes, Rylie Rector, Anna Berkheimer, Kait Patton, Mia Klauberg, Cole Vest, Aliyah Rivero, & Liz Eike
The concert film documentary Stop Making Sense follows the band The Talking Heads at the peak of their career. The movie opens up with David Byrne performing a solo act of the renowned song “psycho killer.” Byrne dances and sings along the dim-lit stage; however, something feels missing. The Talking Heads is a band, so why is Byrne the only one up there? As the song is ending, a light appears on stage to reveal the band's bassist: Tina Weymouth. Throughout the film, the stage becomes increasingly alive as more band members, background vocalists, and props appear on stage. At the climax of the film, the band performs “This Must Be the Place.” Then, the film ends. Simply put, this film is about a band performing at a concert. However, as the viewers pull back the curtains, it is revealed that this concert is an allegory for friendship. This is emphasized through the climax of “This Must Be the Place,” with lyrics such as “Home is where I want to be, but I guess I’m already there.” Byrne discusses the feeling of having everything you’ll ever need right before you. The endless search for purpose and reason in life can simply be put to an end through the salvation that is friendship. The song concludes, “and you’ll love me ‘til my heart stops, love me ‘til I’m dead.” Detailing that one of the many reasons that life has merit is due to platonic love. At Missouri State University, I have developed deeply valuable friendships. The Talking Heads, just like how the concert developed merit through the addition of friends, my life has had meaning added through friendship.
Tanith, Claire, Alyssa, Maria, and a black cat:
Tanith and Claire met when they were assigned roommates their freshman year. Ever since this serendipitous moment, the two have become close friends. Typically, they go out together, eat meals with one another, and play with their darling cat. This year, the two live together again with their friend Alyssa and with their unusual fourth roommate: Lyra, the black cat. Every time I see this group, their joy radiates from them. As you can see, they truly formed an everlasting connection.
Camila, Keke, and Rylie:
This group of girls met in their last year of high school through band practice; however, they say that since they’ve gone to college together, their friendship has grown stronger. Camila Fuentes said that their friendship works because they have the same values, but are opposites. For example, they all have different majors, jobs, and lifestyles, but through their differences, they can begin to understand one another. Typically, this group of girls gets boba, plays pickleball, and hangs out in the Glass Hall. Being part of a friend group in university has taught them just how essential it is to have a support system.
Friends from Sartorial Magazine Anna, Kait, Mia, Cole, Aliyah, Liz:
Recently, “This Must Be the Place” came on in my playlist, and it carried me back to one of my very first Sartorial meetings. That song was playing as I sat down beside Ashton, Kait, and Cole—people who would soon become my closest friends. Since then, the club has continued to grow, stretching far beyond the walls of Glass Hall room 101, and with it, so have my friendships. Now, looking back, I’m filled with warm memories of everyone I’ve met through those years. Platonic love—steady, joyful, and understated—has become one of the things I treasure most.
