The 4th Floor Lobby in the Kansas Union

It's an extremely ordinary place. Have you ever been there?

There are no special features that separate this room much from a regular common room. There are couches and chairs placed amicably about. There are sturdy tables and ottomans, welcoming students to study or read. There is even this darling little drink-stop adjacent to the main seating area. But none of these things really makes the lobby what it is.

I find myself, now, seeing this area more than I had the past two years. I pass this little lobby everyday on my way into work in the Student Leadership and Involvement Center. Since my freshman year at the University of Kansas, I've been in love with this place. Walking past it each day only makes the few hours I spend working that much more enjoyable.

But, what is it's appeal, you may ask. The magic of this room can't quite be described by it's walls, sofas, or beverages, but more by the glow written on the student's faces. Just the other day I witnessed a two-some of friends reunite in the lobby. A seated man lept to his feet upon the entrance of, what I can only assume was, a dear friend. What was even more lovely then his greeting was their embrace, which almost resulted in the both of them being thrown backwards onto the floor. I looked around and saw tables of friends cackling over an  anecdote; a few lonesome souls enjoying their hot drinks and crosswords; even a couple of staff members resounding in the fact that their midterm papers are finally all graded. And not too far from the seating area, someone was playing a soft melody on the grand piano which carelessly floated over the people in the next room. 

In Love Actually, (the best holiday movie there is, in my opinion) Hugh Grant all but soliloquies on his happiest place on earth; the Hethro Airport. Well, whenever I want to think of a place where people are most happy, I think of the 4th floor lobby in the Kansas Union. I've yet to see a group reunite in this lobby with anything but joy in their eyes. I'm sure that for some, this room provides solace from the currently hectic location they call home and that for others, this room is nothing more than a group of chairs where they can relax between a class or two. But even if you're unaware of it, this room is more than just a collection of space sometimes occupied by incoming high school seniors or business fairs. This is the kind of place where even if all of your trials had gone wrong for that particular day and you really were all alone, you could sit down, have a coffee, and feel not quite so lonely; at least for a little while. You can't help but be glad that you are among others, colleagues, friends, who are as equally at a loss for a way to spend their time than to come down and sit in the lobby for a bit.

I implore you to take a moment and visit the 4th floor lobby in the Kansas Union, when you can. If you can't make it today, then go tomorrow. It will always be waiting to welcome you in and offer you a chair.