Dear Childhood Best Friend,

Actually, just dear best friend, because you will always have that title. We met when I was six and you were five in the sandbox at the park. Praise for that sandbox, because now, seventeen years later, you're still my number one. I am so grateful for you, for your friendship, and everything you have taught me over the years. This is for you.

First, some thank yous. Thanks for standing by my side through those awkward middle school years. Sixth grade with braces AND glasses was absolutely the worst, but you were my friend anyways, and you don't know how glad I am you were by my side. Thank you for being my partner in crime. Sleepovers, snow days, spring breaks, and normal weekends would have not been complete without you by my side to make prank calls, play MASH, or redecorate my Xanga page. Thank you for reminding me that my brain and heart matter more than my waist size or hair color. You're the best at picking me up when I am down. Thanks for sharing your family with me, and for not being afraid to be a part of my crazy family, too. Finally, thank you for still being all of those things and more to me. We may go to schools hours away from each other, but that doesn't change our friendship. It just makes going home for Christmas break a little bit better.

Next some memories, the best of which include you of course. I will never forget playing in the mud before we figured out that girls weren't supposed to like that type of thing. I will always remember the time you sang the lyrics of "You're so Vain" as "you're so lame," because you honestly thought that was right. We had the most fun snow days when your mom would make us hot chocolate while we played games of Monopoly that no one actually won. I am so glad that you were a part of dress shopping for prom, vacations at the beach, and summer drives on all of the backroads we could find.

I look up to you so much, best friend. You are full of grace and so beautiful inside and out. You make the world a better place with your drive and passion for helping people. You can sing and write better than anyone I know. You keep secrets better than anyone else. They say you're supposed to move away from home and make new and better friends that will stay with you for all of your life, but I couldn't be happier to say that isn't true for me. Sure, I have made new best friends in college that I will never forget, but no one else will ever know me they way you do.Thanks for not getting tired of me yet. Can't wait to be 90 in the nursing home, racing down the hallway in our wheelchairs.

Love,

Your Childhood Best Friend