I have got to be honest, my expectations and hopes for myself are not high. So it's a blessing and a curse that my friends have those standards for me.

Over the years, I, just as most people, have endured disappointments and upsets that have completely changed my life and personal value. All of the ups and downs have taken their toll and I really don't expect much from myself, relationships, or my life in general. Personally, I think it's OK.

But of course, my friends don't. Lucky for me, they always see that part of me that is strong enough to handle everything, resourceful enough to find my way out of any situation, and self-reflective enough to see that something isn't good for me.

They, more than anyone, have seen and loved the real me and always hope for more for me than I hope for myself. And everyone should have at least one person hope for more for them.

So on those days when I've given up and decide to settle for less than what I deserve, they're there for me. They're there to remind me that I have value. They're there to encourage me with firm "no's" and forceful "you can do better's". They're there to tell me what I need to hear, even when I don't want to hear it.

Their words of advice may never be what I'm expecting, and I may be stubborn and never follow it, but without them, there wouldn't be someone to believe in me the way I, as a person, deserve to be believed in.

So in a time of my life when I'm not sure where I'm going or what I want to do, I am blessed to have a ragtag bunch of friends to offer understanding ears, wise guidance, and open arms to come home to.

To those friends, who have seen me at my best and worst and still stayed, all I can say is thank you and that I hope that I will one day be able to stand by your side and build you up in the same way that you have for me.