Srinath Somasundaram
The bottle’s sleek stainless steel outside cries to be felt completely smooth from bottom to top. As my eyes slide up the bottle, carefully placed branding sits on a thin band of plastic which wraps around the head of the water bottle and reads “contigo.” Its simple design initially attracted me with its plain silver and gray design and seemingly simply cap. However, upon further inspection, I realized that this water bottle is not as it outwardly seems. The connection between this band of rubber around the nozzle of the bottle connects to the cap itself supported by two metal screws ensuring this connection never breaks. Not only does this provide utility but it serves as a metaphor for the bond that I have shared with this water bottle.

I initially received the bottle at the start of seventh grade, but I refused to be seen around school using it, though I tried to use it whenever I could to be eco-friendly. I only grew to love it during the National Parks trip in seventh grade. We were often told that we would bond with our friends and become closer to those we loved on that trip, but I don’t think I would have believed anyone who told me that I would find a trusty companion in my water bottle. On the first hike of that trip, I brought it along simply to convince our pesky chaperones that I was staying hydrated, but I began to drink as I got thirsty and continued until it was completely empty. Then, I refilled it, and again, drank and drank and drank until it was empty. This process repeated itself throughout the trip and on until today.

Before that trip, we were often told of how beautiful and more importantly, memorable the hikes could be, and this turned out to be true though for a difference reason. While we were hiking through a particularly easy portion of terrain, my friends and I began to joke around playfully and jump and run past our peers – I felt bliss. Clang! My bottle had fallen out of my bag and crashed on the dirt. As it rolled towards the ledge of the path, I lunged for it and barely grabbed it before it fell off. Though I hadn’t realized it in the moment, I had learned an important lesson and an even better way of remembering memories, my water bottle.

The dent that was left in the bottle stayed with me until today, and many more have joined it. Though they might not have all been from grand hikes on a school trip, each one carries its own memory and allows me to remember a new moment in my life. The water bottle has grown to become my companion. For me, “contigo” is not just a brand name but an everyday reminder of all my best memories.