I still remember meeting you for the first time in our seventh grade math class. Only a couple of weeks had started since the beginning of the school year and students were being switched from class to class left and right. Somehow you ended up in my math class and sitting right next to me.

Back then I had extremely long hair, a quiet voice, and an extremely flexible backbone—barely non-existent actually. Each quality I just mentioned added to my passive traits. My voice never attracted attention, when it did I hid behind my hair like a curtain. The parts of my personality that despised confrontation and hate never faltered, but were extremely effected by those who felt it necessary to pick out my flaws on a daily basis; and because of those people I never tried to make many friends or start many conversations. I figured if I was so easy to pick on, then no one would have any of the same interests as me. However, I didn’t bet on you sitting next to me in math class.

Back then I lived behind my hair and never really bothered to look past it. When you were assigned to sit next to me I had no miraculous plans to change my way of living, but something sitting at the edge of your desk caught my eye. You and I had a common interest; Naruto manga. Imagine my surprise when I saw that you not only owned a manga, but were half way through it. Let me reiterate, I never left the solitude and protection that my long hair offered me. However, I decided that I could make an exception to compliment your wonderful taste in Japanese comic book tastes.

From that one reluctant compliment, introductions came next, and soon we were immersed in words that kept each other’s attention for years. Of course we didn’t know then, but that was the start of an amazing and long friendship. A friendship that gifted me with more than just one lasting friendship, but a lasting family as well. Your family became my family. Visiting your home became a favorite past time and nothing about it felt foreign. Along with that family came a multitude of traits that I never knew existed inside of me. For example, you showed me that I actually had a backbone (a strong one) and that I should never be afraid to use it. When I couldn’t figure out how to use my backbone you stepped in and protected me. You showed me that my flaws weren’t bad. They made me who I was and who I am today.

Those days in middle school evolved into those days in high school. Those days in high school went so fast that when graduation came, I couldn’t believe I knew you for four more years. The hardest times for any type of relationship came right after high school, college years. Many people say that when college starts, even the strongest of bonds can be broken with distance and other more meaningful bonds. I would be lying if I told you I wasn’t afraid to lose you. You’re like family to me and losing family isn’t easy to deal with. Fast forward to today and I realize that fear is nothing. While we haven’t talked consistently throughout our college years every time I see you or your family it’s time has barely passed. The love and strength of the bond is still as strong as it was in seventh grade. It just proves that no matter what happens I could never forget what you’ve done for me, and what your family has done for me.

Funny that this all started with a chance meeting I had in the mall, with your mother and sister. Two people that also consider to be like a sister and mother to me. Just like you, seeing them again made it feel like time barely passed. Just like you, I could never forget them.