Edwin Mejia
A loyal friend present for the moments that matter.
Edwin is one of those friends who, over time, becomes more than just part of a social circle. He becomes part of an important chapter of my life. I have known him since 2015, and since then we have shared years of friendship, trips, celebrations, honest conversations, and many moments that are now some of my most meaningful memories from Greenville.
When I lived there, Edwin was part of the close group of people I spent time with. We went to the gym together, went hiking, and found ways to get out of our routines. We also traveled to several cities around the United States, discovering new places and creating experiences that made our friendship even stronger.
Edwin is Salvadoran and has a very direct and honest way of seeing things. That is one of the qualities I value most about him. Many times, I have asked him for advice about decisions, personal situations, or ideas I was considering, and he has always told me what he truly thinks. He is not the type of person who agrees with me just because we are friends. If he agrees, he will say it. If he believes I am wrong, he will say that too. That honesty, even when it may be difficult to hear, is one of the most genuine forms of care that can exist in a friendship.
Our friendship has also been present during important moments in our lives. I attended his wedding, and he was a witness at mine. He was also there on the day I took my oath as a U.S. citizen, a milestone I will always remember with gratitude.
But what I value even more is the way he showed up during one of the most emotional chapters of my life: my wife’s pregnancy. When there were concerns that our daughter, Alyssa, might arrive prematurely, Edwin consistently checked in, asked how everything was going, and made sure we knew he cared. After she was born, he welcomed her with thoughtful gifts, a gesture that meant a great deal to me. Those moments showed me that his friendship is not only about shared memories and good times, but also about being attentive and present when it truly matters.
Over time, our friendship has shown that it is not based only on going out, traveling, or sharing activities. There is trust, respect, and a genuine desire to see each other do well. Edwin has always wished the best for me, and I have always wished the same for him. That kind of friendship is not built overnight. It is built over years, through honest conversations, difficult moments, and the steady presence of someone who truly knows me.
I also have a great deal of appreciation for his family. They have always been kind to me, and that has made my connection with Edwin feel even closer. In many ways, he has been more than a friend; he has been someone with whom I have shared part of my adult life, my changes, my goals, and the stages that helped shape who I am today.
Although I no longer live in Greenville, many of my most meaningful memories from that time are connected to Edwin: the gym, the hikes, the trips, the outings with the group, and the conversations that were not always easy, but were always honest.
Edwin is a close, loyal, and deeply valued friend. He is one of those friends I hope to keep for many years, because he was not only there for the good moments, but also knew how to be present when I needed an honest opinion, a clear conversation, or simply someone with whom to share the journey.