By Abigail Keeney 

As one of three non-Wheaton College students participating in the Tel Shimron Excavations during the 2021 season, losing those newfound friendships was a large fear of mine. While working together, I made some of my favorite memories with some of my favorite people.

It was a completely unfounded fear, as it turns out. In the 21st century, it is much easier to stay in touch. Daily, we talk to each other about inside jokes that came up throughout the day or something fascinating that happened that applies to the excavation. Even seeing each other post excavation has not been impossible. I live in Waco, TX and have been fortunate enough to travel down to Austin to see a friend from the excavation, and I have been planning a trip to Chicago to see my peers who are from Wheaton College. 

There truly is something about an excavation that forms a bond with others that cannot be formed elsewhere. These are people that I have quite literally bled, sweat and cried with. People who got to experience some of my most amazing life moments. How could I not make every effort to keep in touch with these people?

There has not been a day since the excavations ended that I have not spoken to at least one person who I met in Israel. People who were once complete strangers to me, have become the people I trust the most and constantly go to with my most exciting moments, my lowest moments and at any point whenever I need advice. For me, my experience at Tel Shimron formed some of the most unbreakable bonds I now have.