Dear Best Friend,

I know that having a best friend with an unpredictable disease isn't probably something that you had in mind when we became friends. Never in a billion years could I see myself in the situation that I am in now. I know I don't say this nearly enough, or maybe I only say it when I'm having a bad health day, but I seriously appreciate every single thing you do for me, chronic illness related and all. I will never be able to accurately present the gratitude that I have in my heart for you sticking around, even through my worst moments.

Thank you for understanding. Well, at least trying to. Lupus is a complex disease, but that never once stopped you from trying to learn about it. Sometimes I forget that you don't know medical terms, but I pick up on the little questions that you ask like "Well, what does that mean?" which shows that you are invested in the impact that this disease has on me.

Thank you for not allowing this disease to take over our friendship. You make my problems, your problems. As much as I try not to let lupus consume my whole life, sometimes I have to. But that's never once pushed you away. You've spent literally hours and hours with me in the hospital, when I'm sure that there were a million other things that you could be doing.

Thank you for always being "there." Through every biopsy, procedure, surgery, and hospital stay, you have always been there, physically. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal, but having a person who brightens up every single day physically there on a day when I am scared, makes everything so much better.

Thank you for being strong, when I am not. Although, I don't know how you feel when going through these days, I can only imagine the impact that it must have on you emotionally. But even on days when I know you are just as scared as I am, you always use every ounce of brightness in you, to make sure that I am staying strong and not giving up.

These are just a few of the many things that you do for me in every single day, but most of all, thank you for being my person. You are the proof that "best friends don't let best friends fight lupus alone," and you've set such high standards for the future people in my life. No matter what, I know I can trust in you to understand when I am struggling. You make my cloudy days, sunnier and my sunny days so much brighter. Don't ever change your ways, Amanda.

Love your forever friend