True friends are there for you in the best of times and the worst of times. For most of us, middle school was well.. the worst. This is an open ended letter to the best friend you met during the awkward middle school days that has stuck with you ever since.

Dear Middle School Best Friend,

Firstly, thank you for seeing past my horrendous bangs and gap toothed smile to the person I really was. Thank you for keeping me in check when I freaked out about school. Thanks for sticking up for me when I forgot how to stick up for myself. Thanks for calling me the night before the first day of high school... and the night before the first day of college... and the night before my first day of work.

Thank you for reminding me that the only person I need to be is myself. Thank you for reminding me to pray. Thank you for reminding that the bad things that happen today should not affect tomorrow. Thank you for (constantly) reminding me that you are older than me and therefore, much wiser.

Thank you for keeping up with our endless "inside" jokes (when those were a thing). Thank you for upholding our lame traditions... even 8 years later. Thanks for getting close to my family, especially since you might as well be one of us anyway. Thanks for the countless sleepovers, makeovers, and hangovers... Oh, wait!

Thanks for coming over before every high school dance to get ready together. Thanks for watching sad movies with me and pretending you don't see me crying. Thanks for crying with me.

Lastly, thanks for sticking around all these years. I can't imagine my life without you. We trust each other with everything and I couldn't be more grateful. Love you to pieces, wierdo.