To the amazing friend who has been by my side for as long as I can remember:

Thank you. Thank you for standing by my side through all the difficulties I have faced, but thank you especially for being there through the happy times.

You were there to celebrate every birthday with me, even if you weren't always physically present. You were there to help me celebrate every special occasion. You stood by my side in all of my arguments with my other friends, even if sometimes I was in the wrong.

I honestly can't imagine where I would be if you hadn't been a part of my life. You helped me grow up. When I suffered a loss, or I had to move, you were always by my side to tell me it was going to be okay and that we would get through this.

You have always made a point to let me know that I am never ever going to be alone. Honestly, sometimes knowing that you were there has been the only thing that helped get me through the hard times, because I felt like there was no one else who understood what I needed.

When tension in my house became too high, I always knew I could run away to your house and be welcomed with open arms (even if you'd be a little shocked as to how I got there). Your family is my family and vice versa, so having people to turn to when family just didn't understand was never a problem.

Together, you and I have faced the good, the bad, and some very, very ugly things, but we always found strength and support in each other when we couldn't carry on on our own.

We've seen some very happy times together too. You were there for my graduations (even from preschool, because you were so excited for me), you were there when I couldn't decide what my prom dress should look like, and you were there for me when I picked out a college (even though we didn't end up going to the same one). You have even come on family vacations with me and made things just a little bit more special because I had someone to run around the beach, the water park and the boardwalk with. Knowing us, we will have plenty more crazy awesome adventures to come together, and I can't wait for those.

Even though we may be far apart distance-wise right now, how close we are will never change. I mean, you've seen me in diapers, so we're definitely close.

I hope that some day in the future, I can repay you in some way for all of the incredible things you have done for me that have helped to get me through, because without you, I wouldn't be the person I am today.

Even though sometimes we fight like siblings and we make each other mad, there is no one better I could ask for as a 'forever friend.'

I love you.

See you soon.