To the ones who live the farthest yet feel the closest,

I am forever grateful for you. Your friendship is like no other. I can't begin to count the ways you are there for me without actually being present. You are not only the rock in my life that holds me up but the star that lights the way.

You can be surrounded by people and yet still feel completely alone. A feeling I am over familiar with. Then I stop to realize how grateful I am for those who may not always be around but make me feel fuller than I could ever imagine with others. For that, I am ever thankful.

Thank you for giving me the understanding that though you may not update each other daily on life happenings, you can have a connection that is unbreakable. Thank you for making every time we do have together felt like we never went apart. Thank you for being the sensible one in my decision making. Thank you for doing your best to support my head in the clouds mentality but still making sure I come down from time to time.

I'll never understand how or why you have come into my life, or how I ended up this lucky. But please know, that not a day goes by where I stray from the thankfulness I have towards having you. Memories with you can never be surpassed. All the laughs, all the tears, and every hoop we have jumped through together...has been worth it. You're an endless piece of my life, and I can't imagine the puzzle ever being complete without you in it. Thank you for showing me what life's purpose is.

I never thought for the longest time I believed in love. And though obviously this has changed over the years, I've realized something else as well...love doesn't always have to be seen with a significant other. I am totally one hundred percent in love with our friendship. You complete me and compliment me in ways I didn't even think was imaginable. Thank you for being the one to mend my heart when it is broken, always offering your ear when I need to vent or shoulder when I need to cry. And even when your thousands of miles away on the other side of the USA or even oceans apart, you still manage to do that better than maybe those within feet. This friendship is far better than fairytale love, it is not something that can be cracked in the slightest. There are only so many people you can tell things to and have them sincerely apprehend, it's a connection that is unexplainable.

Thank you for understanding my weirdness. Thank you for accepting me at my worst. I know that no matter what happens, or how mad you may be at me for being an absolute crazy person; if I called you in the middle of the night just so I could have the silence on your end going...knowing you're on the other side of it, you would be there. People don't understand that even if you go lengths of time without another's company, you can still remain closer than ever. Others may not even understand how someone can go months without contact and still call someone their best friend, and see that's the difference, they won't ever understand. They won't fathom when I burst into tears every time I see you again or having to say goodbye with the unknowingness of when next time could be.

Or how on earth we could sit over drinks and laugh for hours when we haven't even seen each other in years, or feel the pain when one is going through something tough. When someone doesn't have a long distance best friend, they won't understand any of these things. The adventure you share and talk about every chance you get. The want to be their support system whenever they may need.

Thank you for being the piece that makes the sensation of loneliness feel only temporary. For the never ending laughter that has commenced from the moment, you have entered my life. I can't imagine where I would be without this, this gift that has been placed in my existence. It has taught me strength in so many ways, including how to be tough when away from those I truly care about. Thank you for supporting me in my dreams and desires in life, even if they drift me farther from you. Thank you for never giving up on me even when I fall short.

Life is ever changing, but the love I have for you is not. So here is my letter to you letting you know how grateful I am. That no matter how odd or spaced out things may get or whatever obstacle life throws our way next, I will always be here. Basically, you're stuck with me, so you should probably start accepting that now.