There’s something timeless about college roommates. No matter where life takes us or how big the distance between one another, being together always feels like home. We may not be in the perfect, cozy, white house we once lived in, but we sure do leave our mark everywhere we go.

When we made plans to reunite in Philadelphia for the weekend, my brain started racing with ideas of what to do together. Our group chat was buzzing with excitement, outfit ideas, weather predictions, food recs — you name it, we covered it.

Philly greeted us with sunshine and enough gab to keep us yapping all weekend. We started our night in the city’s Fishtown neighborhood with dinner at WM. Mulherin’s Sons, tucked right under the El on the corner of Front Street. We indulged in house-whipped ricotta, smooth and subtly sweet, piled generously onto thick slices of warm focaccia bread.

Between my sips of Sauvignon Blanc, bites of the wood-fired margarita pizza and the best of friends, I was more than content with my Friday night.The next morning we did exactly what any self-respecting group of weekend tourists would do: We rose early (ish) and hit the ground running. First stop: Middle Child Clubhouse. Crowned the Ultimate Breakfast Spot by Good Morning America, I knew I had to introduce my friends to this gem. Me? I ordered none other than the award-winning pastrami, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich, a melty, salty, buttery masterpiece that deserved every ounce of its hype. On the side? The Latka’d hash brown, so crispy, golden and perfectly seasoned. Paired with a salted caramel miso iced latte, it was the type of meal that just hit different.

Leaning even more into our tourist side, we spent the rest of the day checking off all the iconic Philly must-sees: Liberty Bell, Love Park, Betsy Ross House, Elfreth’s Alley, The Constitution Center and City Hall. You name it, we saw it.

Playing tourist in my own city felt a little weird at first, but it was honestly one of my favorite parts of the weekend. There was something special about revisiting the places that make Philly so iconic, this time with people experiencing it for the first time. I guess it takes stepping into tourist mode to really appreciate the history right in front of you.

We eventually made our way back to Fishtown and wrapped up the night with drinks at Frankford Hall, the picture-perfect outdoor summer scene. Sharing stories from our days under the same roof and laughing like no time had passed, the nostalgia hit hard.

The best part? Realizing the memories didn’t stop in college, and now we get to keep creating new ones together.

So, Denver next, ladies?

— Emily Gladu, administrative & events coordinator