Dear New Best Friend,

I am so thankful for your friendship already. Five months ago, I had no idea what my life would look like now, one semester into college. I feared the unexpected and silently doubted if I had made the right decision of which school to attend. I was afraid of difficult classes and of moving in only to find myself without any friends. The first few weeks were frustrating and consisted of a few lonely tears, but then I met you.

You are full of life and laughter, and you encourage me to look at life with a “glass half full” mentality. You remind me to look at the positives and to be optimistic rather than getting lost in my typical melancholy view of things.

I love how we can talk about anything under the sun, but we also don’t mind the silence that follows. You understand that sometimes all I need is a listening ear without commentary, while other times I need an hour and a half’s worth of your advice.

Thank you for being a different kind of friend than any I’ve had. You recognize that friendship is a two way street and that it’s okay to ask me to hang out rather than always waiting on me to mention something first. And you remind me that, though others are out partying and making poor decisions, I don’t need that in my life in order to be successful or to fit in.

You’re the best for believing in me and encouraging me when I am too physically drained and mentally exhausted to do it on my own.

There is no one else I would rather stay up until 2 a.m. laughing with, have dining hall dates with, or cry about life with. You are such a sweet balm to my soul and an example of Christ.

Before coming to college, I prayed that the Lord would bring me good friends who sought after Him and loved Him above all else, and I have found that in you. You give me space to be myself and appreciate me for who I am, flaws and all.

I have no doubt that wherever life takes us, we will be there to encourage one another and build each other up, even if happens to be from one state to another. I am so thankful that I get to be a part of your life and learn about our Savior alongside you. You encourage me to spend time in the Word and treat others as Jesus would treat them.

You, my dear, are a prime example of a true friend. And my mama and I can’t thank you enough.