To my best friend in the world,

First, I’d like to thank you for the unconditional love and support over the past 18 years. Since the first day of pre-school, you have never left my side and I cannot explain how that has changed me for the better. It has taught me commitment and how to love someone for a long period of time without losing interest; how to rely on someone miles and miles away and still know that even at 3:00 in the morning they will be there for me and how to do the same for them. It has taught me how to share my family and how to be accepted into one other than my own. But most importantly, our friendship has taught me the true meaning of life.

Being able to give to others what you may not receive in return and being happy about doing so. Being a helping hand and a shoulder to cry on when the going gets tough. Being the person to pop the champagne when it’s time to celebrate one of our accomplishments. And being the first person at their door with a tub of coffee ice cream when they are in their darkest days.

A friend is defined from Merriam-Webster as “a person whom knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of family relations.”

I think it’s safe to say that after pre-school, elementary, middle, and high school, and through our undergraduate degrees, we have not only made it, but have become stronger people and better friends every day along the way. This journey we call life would not be the same without you by my side supporting me through each and every challenge life gives me.

So if there is one thing I want you to know, it’s that I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be by your side through the rest of time, every step of the way. When you hurt, I hurt and when you cry, I just want to brighten your day. You are the one person who can read my mind and know exactly what I’m thinking before I even realize it half the time.

I miss spending every day with each other, having sleepovers for two weeks straight, turning the lifeguard shed into a movie theater on rainy days at the lake, and running around the rink on half-days. As much as I would love to go back to the glory days and be able to spend every waking second with you, being apart and finding our own paths over the past four years has reminded me how fortunate I am to have you and that not everyone is blessed with the same best friend their entire life. I look forward for the years to come and watch you continue to grow and love to the best of your potential. One final thank you to the best friend a 22-year-old girl could ever ask for!

♡ Kristi