Everyone knows the saying, “I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t have you.” It’s a common catchphrase that people use on their Instagram posts for their best friend's birthday, but to me, this isn’t just some expression I use to show my best friends how much I love them. It really means something to because of how true it is.

To my best friends who have seen it all: I truly wouldn’t want to experience life without you. From the awkward stages of our lives to college life today, you have been my rock and my backbone. I am beyond appreciative of you and everything you’ve done for me. Through the worst of times, you were there for me. You have wiped my tears, listened to my drama, and kept all my secrets.

I don’t want to sound cheesy, but leaving each other for college was truly not easy. I knew we all wouldn’t end up at the same universities, but I did know we would still talk every day. Every single day. Not a day has gone by where we haven’t traded a funny story or whimsical meme. I thought it would be hard moving away from each other, but frankly, it’s made our friendship so much stronger. I think our experiences at college would be different if we were together.

We have our own lives, but we still have each other to fall back on when we need reassurance. It also makes it a lot easier when we reunite because we get to gossip about each other's friends that we only know from pictures. I can’t begin to explain how fun the visits to each other are and how much I enjoy those short 48 hours.

In our nutty friend group, we’re all total foodies. It’s not even that we enjoy trying new restaurants together, it's that we solely just love food. I honestly think our friendship revolves around food sometimes. Our parents and siblings can definitely attest. I don’t mean to sound cliche again, but sometimes I think food tastes better when I’m with you.

The memories we’ve made together when we were growing up will always be cherished. The weekly sleepovers we had, the family vacations we went on, the adventurous summer nights we spent together, and all the food we eat collectively will forever hold a special place in my heart. I will never take the time we have together for granted. Especially those silly car rides to nowhere when we jam out to Top 40’s with the windows rolled down.

Your constant support has helped me mature into the women that I am. Your continued dedication to our friendship has proved your loyalty. Your everlasting love has always encouraged me to be a better person. You have positively shaped me to not be so sensitive and to not get so anxious over the smallest of things. You accept me for who I am and I am beyond blessed you have stuck with me for so long.

Thank you for being you and for always letting me be me. Thank you for making me laugh until I cry, or better yet, laugh until I pee my pants. Instead of saying “I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t have you,” I should say "my life wouldn’t be as eventful and entertaining if I didn’t have you in it." I would be a completely different person and I am forever indebted to you. Love you like a sister.