Dear best friend,

I know that the past few years have been really hard for you. I know that the first two years of high school were not easy for you, and the last two were no different. Now you're an adult, and you're trying to find your way in the world, while also trying so hard to battle your demons and attempting to figuring life out. But there are some things I want you to know as you work so hard to beat your mental illness.

I want you to know that I am here through every good time and every bad one. I have been here for years and years and that will not change any time soon. Now, I won't pretend that my friendship is supposed to cure you or fix you because I know that is not how mental illness works, and it would be incredibly ignorant and self-righteous of me to think that my very presence could "cure" you. But I do want you to know that when I say I am here, I don't just mean in the physical sense, or even just to talk to. I mean that if a certain situation gives you anxiety, I am here if you need a night in. If you are just not feeling very social, I will leave you alone until you are ready to talk, even if I am kind of frustrated by no reply, I know deep down that it's not you. I am here if you are too depressed to get out of bed and you want me to come over and just lay in bed with you.

I also want you to remember that even though I struggle to understand what you are dealing with, I will always try my best. I know that I can be a little short when you have a bad day, and I won't defend that or justify it, I am merely telling you I am still learning how to help you, no matter what that entails.

I also want to simply remind you that your anxiety is wrong. I know sometimes your anxiety tells you some crazy things, but I promise that I don't hate you, I do understand, and I love you, all of you. I know it's not always that easy to combat those things, but I will always remind you how much I love you and that you are my person.

The last thing I want you to remember is this: your mental illness does not define you. I know that sometimes It feels like you can't escape your mental illness, and I watch how frustrating that is for you, but you are not your mental illness. You are a living breathing amazing person with a story to tell the world. I'm not saying that days where you just feel especially down, or anxious, are bad and that you should never be sad because you should be beating your mental illness. I'm saying that no matter how many days you spend feeling those feelings because of your mental illness, you are still you and you will always, and have always, deserved the most amazing things in life. Whether you are struggling with demons or not. And no matter what, you are not alone.

I love you.

Sincerely,

Your person