Dear Best Friend,
There are no words that could ever come close to describing how much you mean to me, but your birthday is as good a time as ever to try and find them.
Here it goes:
I remember the first time we met on move-in day in our suite during freshmen orientation. I remember the first real conversation we ever had – the one where you unashamedly cautioned me about your sarcastic personality. And I vividly remember thinking that anyone who could own her sarcasm as much as me is someone I needed in my life.
However, I don’t remember the moments at which we transitioned from strangers to friends, or from friends to best friends. And that’s not because I didn’t find them memorable or because they didn’t mean anything to me. It’s simply because those times just didn’t exist.
We were inseparable within a matter of days, never having gone through some awkward phase marked with formal texts and uncomfortably long gaps of silence. I opened up more to you in the first few weeks of our friendship than I ever had with anyone else before. And with every snapchat, every walk to class, every lunch date, every late-night heart-to-heart, I realized more and more that you were someone I needed by my side.
Now, I couldn’t even begin to imagine my college experience without you. Yes, you are my best friend. But you are so much more to me than just that. You are my sister, my partner in crime, my shoulder to cry on, and, most importantly, my greatest supporter.
I never thought that I could have a friend like you, and I am thankful every day that our paths finally crossed. Thank you for knowing how to make me smile when I want to cry – and for crying with me. Thank you for always offering to help me before I ask and making my chaotic schedule so much more manageable. Thank you for putting me in my place every once in a while like only a best friend can. Thank you for listening to me (even when my complaining is driving you crazy) and making me feel safe. Thank you for believing in me and accepting me for me.
Looking back, there is only one thing I would change. I would change the fact that, until seven months ago, I didn’t even know who you were. Honestly, I don’t know how I navigated this crazy world without you for 18 years. But I know that we won’t ever have to do that again.
So, for your birthday, I promise to be your number-one fan. I promise to never judge you – regardless of how many song lyrics you butcher every day. I promise to always say “yes” to late-night froyo runs in our pajamas. I promise to defend you until the end of time. After all, we are basically the same person. I promise to never leave your side.
Happy birthday, best friend. No one deserves it more than you.
Love,
Your best friend
