Posted In Awards and Recognition on August 23, 2024
Pictured above are Emily Yang and Esther Ryu.
To launch TidalHealth's VolunTEEN Voices series, we share the stories of Emily Yang and Esther Ryu, two friends who met during their time as TidalHealth VolunTEENs last summer. Below is part one of their story from Emily Yang, a second-year TidalHealth VolunTEEN in Pharmacy and 3 West at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury, Md. Stay tuned for part two next week!
According to Muhammad Ali, “Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything." For me, the relationship between Esther and me cannot be described by mere words, but our friendship began with a fateful meeting that started it all.
Originally, I had planned on volunteering at TidalHealth a year before I actually did because I was inspired by the compassionate care my father had received from TidalHealth’s incredible community when a drunk driver hit his car on a winter day with icy roads. I also wanted more service hours, but I didn’t feel like filling out what seemed like mountains of paperwork to volunteer at the time. Looking back now, I don’t know if I would have met Esther if I had begun volunteering a year earlier, so I don’t have any regrets for what I did.
I met Esther Ryu on June 21, 2023, at TidalHealth’s VolunTEEN orientation. That day, Mrs. Kelly organized a scavenger hunt to familiarize us with the hospital's layout. Our mission was to find hidden Chinese takeout boxes strategically placed throughout various departments. Amidst the competitiveness of the hunt, my team made a strategic decision to hide another team's Chinese box to give ourselves a competitive edge (we did not win). Little did I anticipate that the victim of our scheme would become my best friend and little sister.
The following week, on the first day of volunteering, I was nervously pacing back and forth, waiting for 8:00 to strike to walk into the Same Day Surgery department and begin my first day as a volunteer. There, I spotted a girl walking towards me who seemed confused and lost. Having been in the same situation a week ago, I helped Esther find the correct pharmacy (my afternoon shift), initiating an awkward small talk along the way. When we finally arrived downstairs, we were still a little awkward, but I was incredibly grateful to know someone in the hospital. As we parted ways, we promised to have lunch together since neither of us had any friends volunteering and felt scared to eat alone. It was only when we had lunch together that I realized Esther didn’t have another shift after our lunch break. I was astonished and incredibly excited at the thought of Esther staying after her shift had ended just to spend time with me. That made me want to volunteer for extra shifts on the other day she volunteered, and I ended up with over a hundred service hours out of the fifty required for that summer.
From then on, Esther and I would coincidentally cross paths each morning as we made our way to our respective departments at TidalHealth. It seemed that no matter the route we took or the timing of our shifts, our steps would converge in the corridors of the hospital. Each encounter felt like a stroke of fate, a reminder of our shared journey and purpose within the healthcare realm. These moments, filled with brief exchanges of smiles, laughter, and words of encouragement, strengthened our friendship and reaffirmed our commitment as volunteers.
Unsurprisingly, during our shared lunch shifts at TidalHealth, time flew by in a flash. Usually, time passes quickly when I’m mindlessly scrolling on my phone during mealtime, but it was different when I ate with Esther. Unlike my usual routine, the only time I touched my phone was to see how much time we could spend together before we had to regrettably part ways once more. With each bite of our meals, our discussions flowed effortlessly, punctuated by laughter and shared anecdotes from our volunteer experiences and personal lives. Our lunch breaks became cherished rituals, where we promised to meet every time we volunteered, allowing us to practically become sisters and strengthen our bond.
As a younger sibling with only an older brother, Esther quickly became the little sister I had always wished for. Our bond at TidalHealth went beyond mere friendship; it was a sisterhood built on mutual care, shared experiences, and a deep understanding of each other without any words needing to be spoken. Like a little sister, Esther's natural social and risk-taking tendencies complement my more thoughtful and strategic approach, forming a balanced and effective team dynamic, AKA the “E Team” and “Siamese Twins.” Her outgoing nature helps us connect with others and navigate social situations smoothly, while my inclination to think things through ensures that we approach challenges with careful consideration. Most importantly, her spontaneous nature and genuine care along with my constant nagging made us true sisters despite us not sharing a drop of blood.
One of my fondest memories was when I was incredibly awkward and attempted to start a conversation about our respective cultures because I desperately wanted an Asian friend who I could truly connect with. Growing up in Salisbury, I felt incredibly isolated due to my background as a Chinese American and couldn’t fit in with American kids. However, Esther and I, to my surprise, found ourselves immersed in enriching conversations about our respective Korean and Chinese cultures. Like myself, Esther was equally excited to share her heritage with someone who would understand her. We would eagerly exchange stories about traditional celebrations and family customs, comparing the vibrant festivities of Chinese New Year in China with the festive atmosphere of Chuseok in Korea. Esther would fondly reminisce about her grandmother's kimchi recipes, sparking my curiosity about Korean cuisine and prompting me to share stories of my family's homemade dumplings and festive dishes during Chinese New Year.
Our discussions extended beyond food and holidays to include language nuances, where we would teach each other basic phrases and marvel at the similarities between our cultures. These cultural exchanges not only deepened our appreciation for our heritage but also fostered a profound sense of mutual respect and understanding between us. Nowadays, if we want to say something to the other in a crowded area without anyone knowing, we will randomly say little phrases in our respective languages, as if it had become our secret little language.
Despite our initial encounter at TidalHealth through volunteering, Esther and I have forged a bond that extends far beyond the hospital's corridors. Whether it's exploring new restaurants and grabbing a quick bite, showing up to each other's events, studying together, volunteering at other events, or simply hanging out; we have been lucky enough to create lots of new memories with each other. Our bond has grown stronger as we’ve introduced each other to our families, who have embraced our friendship wholeheartedly. Now it’s not uncommon for us to gather for family celebrations, where Esther’s mom and mine are always in the kitchen, whipping up some kind of new dessert for us to try. At the time of this article, Esther’s birthday is quickly approaching, and I can’t wait to see her reaction to my surprise. I know that no matter what our future holds, I will always be beyond grateful in a way that cannot be properly described with words to TidalHealth, Mrs. Kelly and Mrs. Heidi for allowing me to meet a wonderful friend that I can call my little sister, whom I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Coming to the end of the first few chapters of our lives, our volunteer experience at TidalHealth has been profoundly enriching, both personally and professionally. Originally, TidalHealth provided exceptional care to my father during a challenging time for our family, leaving a lasting impression of the impact compassionate healthcare professionals can have on individuals and families. Volunteering at TidalHealth allowed me to give back to a community that supports my family, deepening my appreciation for healthcare’s role in healing and nurturing. Through my experiences here, I forged meaningful relationships with noteworthy and hardworking staff like Mrs. Shanika in the Same Day Surgery department and life-long friendships with fellow volunteers like Esther Ryu. Our shared experiences at TidalHealth continue to shape our perspectives and strengthen our connection, reminding us of the transformative power of compassionate care service and the profound friendships that can emerge from it.
Regrettably, that summer quickly came to an end before we knew it and we returned to our daily lives. No matter the distance or time, Esther and I made sure to make time for each other and communicate daily. I am incredibly thankful for the fleeting summer, amidst the bustling pace of the hospital, where Esther and I found solace in the unspoken understanding that our paths were meant to intertwine, shaping not only our volunteer experience but also our enduring sisterhood and friendship. While we navigate the ups and downs of life, I will always be grateful for Esther’s presence as not only a friend but as a sister, whose friendship I treasure deeply and look forward to nurturing for years to come. As we return to TidalHealth for another summer to serve our community, we will never forget how all of this first began.
To learn more about volunteering at TidalHealth, visit our Volunteer Programs page.
