Why Do I Love This Alien Rock Spider So Much?

“Rocky?!”

“Grace, question?”

“Yes!” I’ve never been so happy to hear a few musical notes! “Yeah, buddy! It’s me!”

“You are here, question?!” his voice is so high-pitched I can barely understand him. But I understand Eridian pretty well now.

“Yes! I’m here!”

“You are…” he squeaks. “You…” he squeaks again. “You are here!”

— Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary

I teared up a little here.

I loved many things about Project Hail Mary, but what stayed with me most was Rocky.

Why do I like Rocky? How did I end up feeling this much affection for an alien rock spider?

I am not sure.

Maybe I just wish I had something like that in my life too.

To share a journey with someone thoughtful, careful, brilliant, and harmless. Someone who makes me want to help them. Someone I can keep learning with.

So now, I need to go find my team.