Remember when we were in 7th grade and I decided that you would be the perfect person to share my love of mac n cheese with? Man, those were the days. How about the time that lady came up to us asking if we had seen her chicken because he ran away from her yard? I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard in my entire life.

I’ve spent eight years with you by my side. The first few were rough, I’m not going to lie. We had our silly middle school fights and what seemed like serious high school arguments, but we got past each and every one of them. I was there with you when you met your first love, and had your first heart break. You were with me when I cried about feeling sick all the time, and when I was absolutely positive that I would never make it to a 4 year university. We were together through our mistakes and failures in high school, through our successes leading into early adulthood.

As I sit here in this coffee shop, 2,500 miles away from you, I realize just how thankful I am that I have you in my life. When I was younger, I didn’t know that my future ahead of me would lead me to this great university, surrounded by great people. When I was younger, I didn’t know that you wouldn’t be one of those people. I didn’t know that one day I would be sitting in this coffee shop, looking around and realizing my life that I was accustomed to isn’t the life that I am living anymore. That’s not to say that I am not happy where I am, or proud of the accomplishments and changes I have made in my life recently. It’s to say that I can’t drive and pick you up to go to the mall or just to rant about my absolutely ridiculous first world problems anymore. I can call you, sure. But what is a voice on the phone to a person sitting next to me?

2,500 miles is a long ways away. I am proud of myself, and I am proud of you. You are living an incredible life in your cute little beach town, with your amazing friend group and major that could not be more fitting to you. Now, I can’t lie and say that I’m not jealous that you are probably on the beach while I’m sitting here in my snow boots and my big puffy jacket that makes me look like a walking marshmallow.

We have come a long way, both together and apart. We may not call each other often enough, but I know that you would be there for me in a heartbeat which is a comfort that is much needed. I have watched you grow as a person and I am so proud to be able to call you my best friend, your family my family, and know that you will be in my life forever (yes, you’re stuck with me forever). People may mistake us for sisters, but in my mind that’s not a mistake. Thank you for being you, and for being my rock in this crazy life of college even from 2,500 miles away.