I want to start by saying, I am so proud of you.

These past years have brought you a lot of ups and downs.

You adopted a perfect boy, alongside your high school sweetheart. The two of you raised him just like your own. I remember how excited you were the first Christmas that he was legally yours. You went all out with gifts, and decorations. I remember how excited he was to show off his brand new Air Jordans when I saw him a few days after. I could see it on his face how much he loved you both and how much you had both changed his life for the better. It didn't surprise me. You have that affect on people. You make them feel special. You make them feel cared about. You make them feel loved.

When you told me you were pregnant with your own child I smiled from ear to ear. You had wanted that for so long, claiming that your life's purpose was to start a family. I remember standing up and screaming with joy in the middle of Olive Garden, wrapping my arms around you and not being able to believe it.

I knew then that you were going to be a great mother to her, because you were already so good with him.

The next months your belly continued to grow and my excitement for you continued to grow along with it. I don't think I had ever seen you as happy as you were when you found out it was a girl. She's perfect.

Last year you got married to your high school sweetheart, and I was honored to stand by your side. You looked beautiful. You always look beautiful, but that day you were like a cut out figure from a bridal magazine. I could see the happiness all over your face. I could feel the love in the air. I tried so hard not to cry standing beside you when you said your vows, for the sake of your wedding photos. I am not sure I pulled that off completely. Later that night, dancing the night away with you, your friends, and your family, I couldn't help but feel over the moon for you.

The life you had always wanted was becoming a reality.

You knew what you wanted and you obtained it. You could make the best of any situation. Good or bad.

But, things can't stay perfect forever. At the end of last year you lost that beautiful little boy that loved you so much. I remember the call like it was yesterday. I remember trying to call you all day. Worried, because it was so unlike you to not answer you phone. When I finally got to see you the next night I knew what you were thinking and what you needed before you could even speak. We just get each other like that. I know losing that little boy was the hardest thing you will ever go through. And I know that nothing I ever say, nothing anyone ever says, will make that loss any easier for you.

At the services, you held yourself together through every conversation, through every hug, through every "I'm so sorry". I remember how much you were dreading that day. I remember thinking that I would have done anything to bring him back to you, and take your paid away.

You held it together then, just like you always do.

I remember a few years ago, you told me that I was the strongest person you knew. You told me that you didn't understand how I was still a good person after the things that I had been through.

There's a couple things I need you to know:

YOU are the strongest person I know. What you went through isn't something that anyone should ever have to go through in their lifetime, but you did. You handled it with respect for others, respect for yourself, and a strength I have never seen in anyone else. I need you to know I'm proud of you. I am so damn proud of you. I am honored every single day to have a woman like you as my best friend, as my sister.

Thank you for being a role model for everyone out there. Thank you for allowing others to see your strength and your passion to put your loss towards the rest of your life. Thank you for giving me someone to look up too, as I start my own family.

Thank you for being you.

XO,

Your best friend.