"Someone you've known for 5 months can be more loyal than the person you've known for 5 years. The length of a friendship doesn't determine loyalty."

The above quote struck me at 3 AM when it appeared on one of my social media feeds, when it hit me that no matter what we go through, you would always be my best friend, the Ross to my Rachel, the Clyde to my Bonnie. Regardless of the distance or the time. You would always be it, on some level.

It's a strange concept, having a "person". It means that you're the one I'd call at 3 AM when my world is falling apart, but also the one I'd text at noon to talk about my day or scream good news to. We have inside jokes that I can't imagine sharing with anybody else. We have memories that I'll never forget. There are so many things I wouldn't have done if you weren't around. And, let me say for the first time, that it is always a perk to have someone to be petty with. Who else would I text when that one girl is driving me insane? (*rolls eyes* You know who.) Who else would I sing in the car with? Who else would I laugh over Friends with?

You made me so much better. You helped me make myself into the person I wanted to be. You helped me gain confidence in myself, in the way I looked, in my ability as a writer, in the awesome person that you were so sure I was, and so much more. But, isn't that what a person is supposed to do? Thanks for hyping me up. Thanks for being my biggest fan.

You were my adventure. You helped me live, and for that I will be forever grateful. I can't stress enough that you helped shape me into the person I always hoped to be. Your family has become my family, your friends like brothers, having my back when distance made it so you couldn't be here, being my support system on my worst days.

I know that you'll be there when I need you most. We were always constantly reminded of the distance that would make things difficult, but I'm realizing with time that none of that matters. I don't know what we were so worried for. Distance is nothing when a friendship is this strong. No matter what, you'll be there. You're a call or text away, regardless of what time it is or how far away we are. That is what matters.

I promise to return the favor, from being a listening ear, to being a sounding board, to being a source for positivity, laughter, smiles, and pettiness. Through anything, I've got you, and I hope you know that by now.

The truth of it all is that you simply know too much to ever stray too far away. I'm sorry, but it's true. You're stuck with me, remember?

"We’re friends, real friends. And that means, no matter how long it takes, when you finally do decide to look back, I’ll still be there.”

I don't know what I'd do without ya, "dude".

Thanks for everything,

M