Do you have a person in your life who has always been there? Someone who you can't remember not being around to talk to or hang out with? I do. Currently, 1,390 miles separate us. She is abroad changing the world and I am away at school. I know she's out there doing great things, and I know that we're both in the places we need to be, even though we're so far away. She is the most selfless person I know, and I'm lucky I get to call her my best friend.
So my dear friend, here are the things I don't think I've ever actually told you, but need to be said.
1. Thank you for being there for me through our messy middle and high school years.
Mercifully, the scrunched hair and heavy eyeliner phase has passed. Despite the drama that filled our lives (by the way, those boys totally weren't worth it), you were always the person I could go to for a straight answer, even if it was one I didn't want to hear.
2. Thank you for growing up with me.
I'm so thankful that I had a person to grow up with who shared my insane passion for music, and understood my almost unhealthy obsession with musicals. We got so excited over the nerdiest things, but it was, and is, so much more fun having someone to fangirl with.
3. Thanks for understanding my "other" life.
I'm thankful that you understood my dedication to things we didn't share. Soccer took up a large chunk of my time (still does), and you knew that being an athlete was super important to me. Even though you didn't play, thank you for listening to my complaints and stories about teams and coaches you probably had no interest in.
4. Thank you for suffering through the meltdowns.
And believe me, I know they weren't pretty. We did share a few breakdowns over the years, but thank you for listening to me through the hysterics and blubbering messes about school, sports, choir and boys.
5. Thanks for being my travel buddy.
Thank you for traveling the world with me -- you made those experiences so special just because I got to share them with you. Plus, you were the best pillow.
6. Thanks for being the short one.
You know how they always say every tall girl needs a short best friend? Well, thanks for being mine.
7.Thanks for all of the candids.
I can always count on you for a picture, or 20. Even when we couldn't hold it together long enough to smile at the camera, you never disappointed. Now we have all these pictures that nobody will appreciate as much as we do.
8. Thank you for always being my friend.
Thank you for being there when I needed you most. Growing up with you was the best thing that ever happened to me, but now I have to continue to grow up without you. I'll make it, I think, but it won't be easy. I know that you'll be just fine. Keep changing the world and spreading your unique stamp of light and laughter, because I know first hand how special it is. I'll always be here for you.
