To my best friend,

Yes, I know I've already written about you this school year. However, this one is special.

It's your birthday, so I wanted to dedicate yet another one of my articles to you.

Today, you are turning 23. Where have the years gone? It feels like just yesterday we were celebrating my 18th birthday at The Cheesecake Factory, and now here we are, turning 23.

One of the many things that I absolutely love about the relationship we have is that no matter how much time we spend apart, we pick right back up from where we left off. It's as if we were never apart.

Not many people can say they have that type of relationship with their friends. One of the hardest parts about leaving for school was knowing I was leaving behind such an incredible person like you.

Every now and then, I try to sit and take a "stroll down memory lane". I like to look back on where we started, and see how we got to where we are today.

Throughout the years we've had our ups and downs. We've made friendships together, and we lost friendships together. But no matter what, we stuck together and that's what counts.

We made countless memories together, whether it be walking aimlessly through Target even though neither of us needed anything, or constantly talking throughout an entire movie and making up our own dialogue. We make even the most boring of times an adventure.

You have so many amazing qualities that it is hard to pinpoint just a few, but I am going to try my best.

You are hardworking. You are honestly one of the most hardworking people I know. You love what you do and it really shows through.

Anyone who has you in their classroom should consider themselves very lucky.

You are a kind soul. No matter how many times people make you angry, you don't let it get to you.

You are always there, no matter what. This is one of the things I value most about you. No matter how far away we are, you're always there for me.

But most of all, you've shown me what it's like to have a true best friend. This is the one thing that constantly sticks out in my mind when I think of our friendship.

We met later on in life, but that does not matter. Since middle school, our friendship has continuously blossomed into what it is today. That alone is something I will always cherish.

You will forever be the Christina to my Meredith Grey.

Needless to say, you're just an all around amazing person. I am so incredibly lucky to not only have you in my life but to also call you my best friend.

I hope you have an incredible 23rd birthday. I cannot wait to be home, celebrating with you and taking you to see "The Greatest Showman".