[alatar]

The more I thought about it, the more I'm not sure I can pick out one perfect example of a Sam. Regardless, this did come to mind:

Her name is/was Laura. We met when we lived in adjacent apartments when I went to university. I lived far off campus as (1) it was cheaper and (2) I was never big on living in a 'hive-like' dormitory. Anyway, so one night I ventured forth and ran into my older grad student neighbor. Within an hour we hit it off, and became fast friends when I tried to throw her into a dumpster (I was more ornery back then - see avatar). Couldn't climb the side of the dumpster while throwing her over, and so she never went in, which in retrospect was a good thing as it may have not gone well.

So we talked through the night, and continued to do so when schedules permitted. We also would take long walks at night in the back wood sticks in which we lived. She and I would speak of those things that were current, or in some moments, those things that were close to our hearts. She and I were lonely, school was 'fun' and so we took solace in our walks. Our relationship was platonic as I was chasing at Tinúviel's heels at that time and so if there were 'something else,' it wasn't apparent to me. People thought we were a 'thing,' but we weren't, but regardless were very close.

And like Sam she even carried me a few times pig-a-back - she was my sized and very athletic (so don't complain) - and I returned the favor. We became so close that it was almost as if we could read each other's minds, and we used to mess with our roommates' heads using this ability. Also, she'd join us when we kicked around a hackeysack, and I would ride her bicycle around inside her apartment when I felt the need to be particularly annoying. Laura understood.

Well, all good things must come to an end. The year after, I moved to another remote spot outside campus, and she had already started dating someone - they may have even started talking marriage (like Sam and Rosie) - and so we saw less of each other, then not much at all. After graduating we lost touch, and I actually traveled West, but not on a boat. Where she is now, I'm not sure, but maybe one day we will meet again.