First Free Gift

Many of our most memorable moments in life are hung together in a thread titled “Firsts.” As humans, we love to capture and record our firsts—from our first steps as toddlers to our first day of school, all the way to our first paycheck. Such are personal examples that mark specific achievements in an individual’s life, but other remarkable firsts that impact all of humanity are recognized at large in Halls of Fame and history textbooks. It is only natural that we respond with such awe and wonder at the thread of Firsts. By definition, firsts are novel, signaling only the beginning of journeys to be walked and stories to be told.

Sweeping along the wild currents of university life as a freshman, I have had no better time than now to fully explore and embrace the joys of firsts. Beyond simply attaching “first” to all phrases (first college course, first professor, first friends, first impressions), being a first-year translates into genuinely new revelations and encounters within personal contexts. From discovering how I actually enjoy matcha flavors to learning to live without my parents’ constant supervision, there have been numerous first lessons and experiences over just the past few months. For most of these instances, I have been adopting ways to adapt accordingly—purposely ordering matcha drinks when I visit cafes and setting aside time during the week to call my parents. Despite my efforts to piece together all the appropriate adjustments to college life, one blank spot in the puzzle remains as I still struggle to provide a satisfactory response: free meals.

Ten-year-old me, staring confusedly at a couple adults fighting to pay the bill, would not have dared to imagine for this same scene to be replayed not even a decade later, but this time with myself as one of the main actors. The first few times where an upperclassman paid for me, I tried fighting against it, but it eventually ended in my defeat. If it is any comfort, each of

WORDS CHRISTINE SONG

my failures have at least provided me new knowledge, including how people actively utilize the block feature on Venmo to prevent others from paying them back. (Pro tip!) Over time, however, my futile attempts became less about feeling bad and more about expressing appreciation as I began to recognize an underlying pattern and common reason behind their sacrifices. Every instance where an upperclassman pays for my food is an act of service; it is carried out as an act of paying it forward. Beyond a simple kind gesture, it is an expression of the same love and care that they once received from their own upperclassmen friends.

This cycle largely relies on the principles of a gift economy where every exchange is given as a gift without expectations for it to be returned. Though I have mostly been on the receiving end of the exchanges for now, moving forward in my college journey, I will have more opportunities to play my part and continue the legacy by treating the following incoming students. Because I can clearly remember the love of those who served me through the meals I received, in response, I am more than happy to open up my wallet for underclassmen when the time comes.

Shifting the focus away from whether or not I am deserving of all these meals as the receiver, the spotlight lands on the upperclassmen and their generous actions as the givers. Their humble sacrifices to pay for my meals are a glimpse into the posture of the One who showed perfect humility and selflessness. 1 The delicious meals I received this past year all point to the ultimate first gift. 2 As a result, moving forward from my first year, not only am I now motivated to become a caring upperclassman like the ones who served me, but I am also inspired to imitate the greater love of Christ in my life to all those around me.3

1 Philippians 2:8

2 Romans 5:17

3 Ephesians 5:2