We have gone through the dramas of middle school, endured all the good and the bad an individual can experience in high school and now we are in college and closer than ever. The best part of is that I have had the opportunity to go through every big milestone with you.

You have picked me up when I was at my worst, and encouraged me when I was at my all-time high. You've always supported me. So this is a letter to thank you, not only for being there and always hearing me out, but for listening and never being far from me, even at 500-plus miles away. Distance has nothing on us and college has only further helped show that you are my best friend.

Thank you for accepting me for who I am. You know how moody I can get, how much I consume myself with schoolwork to the point where you have to beg me to go out on a Friday night, how much I enjoy cleaning and that’s a quality of mine you will never understand and how much I keep myself busy with work, school, and other activities.

We can go months without seeing each other, but that’ll never impact our friendship in a negative way. You know me better than I know myself.

You're fiercely protective over me -- you always have my best intentions in your heart, which is why I hold your opinions and judgment very highly, always. Not many people have those special individuals in their lives, yet I have been blessed with an amazing friend like you.

Thank you for being genuine, encouraging, caring and for always staying true to who you are. I have found myself with you standing by my side for the past x amount of years, and as we continue to find ourselves in the future, I’m grateful we are still two peas in a pod.

We meet hundreds, if not thousands of people throughout our lives. Take the time to make strangers into friends, and those friendships evolve into something that is greater than the both of you. There will be those select few you automatically have a connection with.

There’s something about the friendship that you just know that you get them and they get you. These are the ones that will be brutally honest with you even when you don’t want to hear it. They will tell you the truth as you’re crying on their shoulder, combining a little bit of consolation as well as “here’s how we’re going to fix this issue.”

They will call you at 2 o'clock in the morning just because they want to make sure you’re okay and wanted you to know that you’re still a priority to them. The two of you will disagree on countless things but respect one another’s opinion, always. I will let you in on a little secret:

Don’t you dare let these ones go. They see something in you. They will always have faith in you, even when you don’t have any faith in yourself. They will never give up on you. If you are lucky enough to cross one of these gems in your path, know that you are truly one of the lucky ones.

Things will not always be roses and rainbows, but if your best friend is anything like mine, they will always help you see the rainbow when your rose is wilting. I am so lucky to have found my best friend, and I hope that you all find yours soon as well.