When we graduated High School, I remember us telling one another that no matter how far apart we may go, we'd still always be just as close as we were then. Now, you're graduating college and somehow we're even closer than when we started.

I can't count how many phone calls you've made, crying, telling me you didn't know if you could do it. I remembered how physically exhausted and mentally drained you were, and what's even worse, I had no idea how to make it better.

"I promise, just get through this year!"

"I've seen you do this 1,000 times! You know you got this.."

or..

"Just a few days until Christmas break, then you won't have to worry about a single thing ALL MONTH LONG."

Of course I knew that wasn't true, with how determined you were to always be ahead of the game, you'd spend most of your break studying for upcoming tests that weren't even assigned to you yet.

You somehow managed time for everything important to you, and here you are, after 4 years of giving everything you ever had to a degree, you're graduating with nothing but amazing results to show for it.

With offers already coming your way, and a whole future in front of you, I think even you're still in awe of it all. This life you spent so long creating for yourself is finally here, and I promise that no one is more deserving of this future than you.

When you first started freshman year, I never thought those 4 years would go by so quickly. Everyone says that they do, but I don't think you actually realize it until you're living it. In my mind we're still 5th graders in elementary school talking about how we'll be bff's forever until one day we marry beautiful men and have beautiful babies to repeat the same legacy.

If I could somehow slow down time right now, I would. I feel almost guilty for wishing so much of it by, but I think you and I both can agree, we'd do anything to not have each other stressed out and upset on days when the sun's shining and life's actually pretty good.

I hope that you're aware that your graduating doesn't just last one day. In my book, you get the whole entire summer to be by my side where I can go on and on like a proud parent of my beautiful graduate who kicked ass on her boards and took the homework like a champ.

One day far into the future, (even though I know you won't admit it) you'll look back and be kind of appreciative for those 4 years. I'm not saying you'll want to go back because I know how hard that time was for you, but I think you'll be grateful to know that working endlessly for something pays off. Not many people can see one thing all the way through, especially when it gives them hell, but you did, and that fills me with so much pride.

Eventually it'll be a blur to you. All the nights you spent staying up crying will slowly slip from your mind and be replaced of new memories that make you proud of all you've done. You won't remember that hard test or the teacher that made learning impossible. You'll just find comfort in knowing you survived and have a job you've wanted for so long to show for it.

If you can't tell by now, I'm genuinely proud of you. I'm not bitter because I'm not graduating on time. *Insert eye roll emoji*. I'm happy that you're the first one of us to see your dreams through. Thanks for giving me someone to look up to.

As you walk across that stage to grab your diploma. I want you to keep a few things in mind. Yes, I know, a lot of things will already be racing through your head, but try and focus here.

This is important.

Remember that the rest of your life you're able to do absolutely anything you set your mind to, and anytime you say "I don't know if I can do this", I'm going to hand you your diploma until you start to believe in yourself again.

Remember to live in the moment, and to never take it too seriously. Something may seem hard initially, but with the personality you have to work until the task is done perfectly, I'm not the least bit worried.

Remember that even though you're a big shot graduate now, you're still my best friend and I need all the time with you and more now that school isn't an issue.

Remember to love every second where you're proving to the world of all your capable of.

..and lastly..

The most important thing..

I told you you'd make it.

*insert laughing my ass of emoji while you angrily exit out of this for throwing an I told you so at the end of this nice article*