From the moment we met, we both knew that our friendship was bound to be something special. The puzzle pieces just fit together. We understood each other in a way that was hard to describe - we still do. We connected on a million different topics and opinions, we had the same sense of humor, and I felt weirdly at home for someone who suddenly found herself hundreds of miles away from the only home she'd ever had. To me, you were the cool, older one who seemed to have their life together (boy, did you have me fooled). You introduced me to friends, showed me around, told me how things worked - helped out the nervous little freshman who felt a bit lost, and very quickly became one of my favorite things in this world.

While we haven't had a full four college years together, I couldn't count all the times you've made me laugh, defended me, inspired me, helped me take the risks I was scared to take, motivated me, supported me, and showed me there were people on my team when I felt like the world was out to get me. To be honest, it's hard to imagine daily life without you a short walk away. It seems almost impossible that I could make it through the rest of my college career without you, when up until this point, you've been my support system.

I would be lying if I didn't say that part of what makes saying goodbye so hard is a little bit of fear that in your new, exciting adult life, I'll get left behind, and we won't be as close as we once were. But I have faith in our ability to make it through some really crazy things, and come out on the other side together.

I never really thought I would find a best friend like you. Someone I could always confide in, no matter what, the kind of person I could happily stay up all night talking and laughing with, the only one I would want to spend a full day of marathoning scary TV shows and a full night of doing just about the same with. No matter where I go with you, I feel happy and safe because I know I've got a partner in crime that I can always depend on. Through all of our adventures, I have never once felt as though I would want anyone else by my side. I will never, ever forget all the things that you've taught me, about life, the world and about myself. I am eternally grateful that I somehow lucked out just enough to meet you, and that I am the one you decided to spend your time with. So if there's anything I want you to take away with you when you venture out into the big scary adult world, it's this:

I am now, and always will be, on your team. Even if no one else is, I will cheer louder than anyone and blare air horns and wave glittery signs (picture that for a second) at all the amazing things that you are bound to do with that crazy amount of talent that you've got in that head of yours. I'm wishing you happiness, health, safety, love and success. I will always be proud to know you. I trust you, even when you don't trust yourself, to make the right choices. I'll always be just a phone call or a text away if you need me and I selfishly hope that you will. You're more awesome than you know. I love you to bits and pieces, I really do, and I always will because you mean the world to me. I am thinking of you always, and chances are I'm probably bragging to someone about how incredible my best friend is right now. I know that you can fight your own battles, but if you ever get tired, I'll gladly defend you to anyone that makes you feel less than you are because what you are is entirely and inherently wonderful.

Being apart will be incredibly hard, but I can't wait to watch you do all the crazy awesome things you've always dreamed of. As much as I'll be missing you, I'll be happy to know that you are making one incredible future. I can't wait until I can join you out in the world someday, but until then, you'd better come back and visit. Things are just way more fun when you're here. But even when we're apart, just know that your best friend is rooting for you always, even if it's from 174 miles away. I'll just be waiting until I get home again because home is wherever I'm with you.