To my best friend of 10 years,

I’ve grown up with you since fourth grade. We met playing "Upward Basketball." Little did we know that we'd become best friends.

You know how people say opposites attract? That is exactly us. We are very different but our similar interests are what bond us together.

We have so many memories together. Only five days separate us in age. We went through middle school together, the awkward puberty years, high school and freshmen year of college. I also got the privilege to play not only basketball with you, but also soccer, bungee soccer and I introduced you to horseback riding. We accomplished our first year of college together which taught how much we value each other. We laughed about ridiculous class mates, grumbled about homework and joked about ridiculous teachers. We realized that we were becoming true crazy adults and enjoy it because we have each other.

I’ve gotten to see you grow and become a beautiful human being. You're way more mature than I could ever be. You strive to accomplish your goals and are a hard worker. You have been by my side through thick and thin. You have patience with me and accept me with all my weirdness.

Your family is pretty much mine, too. They always invite me to stay for dinner. I’ve actually fallen asleep on their carpet floor, and they thought it was hilarious and continued to let me sleep.

This is the first year out of a decade that I’m not living life with you by my side. I can’t randomly show up to your house, or enjoy your mom's vegan cooking. We can’t watch "Psych" together or talk about horses for hours. We can’t take day trips out to the barn and get our boots covered in dirt. We communicate by text but none of it is the same. Our schedules are different and we are both busy people. Sometimes, a week goes by without any communication, and that’s okay. I know that when I come home for break, I will have a friend to come back to. We can hang out and chat and pretend like four months have not passed.

I sat at my desk looking at a picture of us with the dog Snapchat filter on our faces. I thought about how much you have changed. You've become more confident. You have discovered who you are as a person, and you don't let anyone come between you and your beliefs. You know right from wrong but never look down upon others' mistakes. You have passions in life and many accomplishments. You have grown into a fearless horseback rider; even though you falls off sometimes, you always get back up and try again.

To anyone who becomes friends with you while I am away at college, you are lucky. You're a special one that deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and kindness.