Best friend.

This was the elusive title we all searched for as kids and may even continue to as adults; a person we could put a label on and be joined forever at the hip with. We all searched for that ultimate person who matched our spirits so closely and who was the yin to our yang. There were many, many times when I thought I had found that person in my life and let me tell you, there were many times when I was wrong.

I have met so many incredible people in my life and have made so many what I consider to be lifelong friends. But this girl, she tops them all.

I met my best friend back in the glorious days of middle school when we were all self-confident, happy little people. Yeah, right. I had recently lost my entire friend group in the transition from elementary school to middle school and I physically and emotionally felt like the most awkward person to ever exist. I was insecure, awkward, and I’m not going to lie, a little weird. I felt incredibly lost. When we first met, it wasn’t exactly friendship at first sight. There were a few encounters where we just exchanged awkward small talk and I was convinced she thought I was a little strange.

Through a mutual friend at the time, we met and after my best-friend-to-be moved school districts in high school, we grew so close. She became my go-to every time I had a life crisis and we would text for hours, learning that we really did have so much in common. High school may have separated us physically, but we became each other’s person and I am so grateful for that.

I stood by her side through breakups and she held my hand when it seemed like I was losing everyone around me. We supported each other through thick and thin and we never let the other fall, no matter how crushing the weight felt.

I consider myself so lucky to be able to call her my best friend because she is the most incredibly strong person I have ever met. I know how incredibly cliché that sounds, and you bet I am going to back it up with equally cliché reasoning. Never in my life have I seen someone take their circumstances, however grim, and face them with a determined grin on their face. Every day I am in complete awe of what she has made of her life and I am so proud. I hope to accomplish even a smidge of what she has.

I am so proud to have someone like her in my life to push me forward and help me conquer my dreams. She is so determined, so fierce, and so badass.

Since the ripe old age of thirteen, she has been there for me. Now we are entering our twenties and I don’t ever see her leaving my life. I know she will continue to be there for me through whatever may come, whether it’s to hold my hand or push me forward. She is my person and I love her so much.

So, here’s to many, many years with the bestest of best friends. Heck, here’s to many, many years with my sister. I love you girl.