I can absolutely remember the first time I was introduced to my big (far before I ever imagined she'd be my big). Now, needless to say, my big is as beautiful as a top notch beauty queen, saying I was intimidated by her at first is an understatement. Of course, though, she was calm and collected, and even made me feel comfortable after a few short minutes.

It's almost been two years now and this time next year you'll be off chasing your dreams. What's even worse, is in a couple weeks you'll be off traveling for months without me. And yet, I still have absolutely no idea how I will survive without you. But I thought I would start by letting you know how much you mean to me before you go, since I'm never good at being sappy, sweet with you.

1. Thank you for always simply checking in on me and inviting me to random things even when you have a busy plate.

2. Thank you for always telling me your class schedule so that I can find you in or outside of class if I need you.

3. Thank you for always holding me to a higher standard than I hold myself and never letting me settle for mediocrity.

4. Thank you for always being around to catch my tears when I shed a few too many of a boy.

5. Thank you for always being one hundred percent honest with me, even if it's not what I would like to hear.

6. Thank you for loving mexican with me.

7. Thank you for being someone I hope to one day be like.

8. Thank you for showing that nothing is sweeter than being whoever you would like to be and owning it.

9. Thank you for always telling strangers when I meet them that I am your little ( as if you were introducing your child to someone for the first time).

10. Thank you for always having the most stylish outfits, that one day I will try and mimic.

11. Thank you for the laughs that end in belly aches and tears.

12. Thank you for teaching me that patience is the key with people and the things you want most in life.

13. Thank you for constantly making sure I am fed.

14. Thank you for always picking me up off the floor on nights when I can't do it myself (metaphorically and realistically).

15. Thank you for setting the bar so high for me to be around someone as great and genuine as you.

Thank you the most for not treating this relationship as a job and never placing me on the back burner. You don't have to do the many things you do for me, but I want you to know how blessed I am to have you as my big. I appreciate you loving me with your whole heart and then some and being my mom away from home. You are exactly what I didn't know I would need in college and I'm so thankful for not only a big like you, but a life long friend.