All my life I have met new people and got really close to them. I considered some of them as my best friends. But I lost most of them, mostly because of trust and not being real with me.

During my high school career, I met a few exchange students, and I became really close to those people. I miss them very much, but I am so glad that I still communicate with them even though they are across the world.

During my junior year, my mom decided that it would be interesting to host our own exchange student. I didn’t really know how to respond at first because I didn’t want to be taken away from my friends and boyfriend. I’m the youngest of five kids, and I didn’t want to not get attention anymore.

“What if she gets all the attention and I don’t?”

That was my first thought, but I was just being selfish. In July 2016 we picked our exchange student up at the airport. She came to America from Italy.

At first, it was very awkward to be with her because I didn’t understand her accent. About a week later, we clicked. We started to get along really well, and we started doing everything together. I have several reasons to be thankful for you, and I have several things to say to you.

1. Where have you been my whole life?

You came into my life and accepted every single thing about me. You literally read my mind when I was upset or mad. You put a smile on my face when I need it the most. You had me wondering where you have been my whole life. You are without a doubt the greatest blessing I have ever received.

2. How can I repay you?

You’ve done so many special things for me that I don’t know how I could repay you. You have showed me that I am special in my own way. You have helped me through so much that I should repay you, but I don’t know how.

3. Thank you!

Thank you for helping and watching me change. Thank you for being there when I needed a shoulder to cry on. Thank you for holding my hand and taking my tears away. You earned the trust, and I was able to tell you everything.

4. I love you!

I love you very much. I’m happy that you got to spend your months in America here with me. You are so special. You mean so much to me, and there is no one else in this world that would replace the sister bond we have.

5. I miss you!

I miss the good days and good times that we laughed until we cried. I miss our heart to heart talks. I am so thankful that I know you. I miss the car rides while we were singing and dancing. I miss taking trips to Tupelo and just driving for as long as we wanted. I miss staying out past curfew and having movie nights at your boyfriend's house.

6. You're enough.

You always find a way to make me feel special, but it’s actually you that deserves to feel special. You are so special to me. You deserve to be happy, and one day, you will be. I know that God has something special in store for you.

7. I hate that you left

Ever since you left, it’s been dull and boring. It’s been crazy because I don’t know what to do. I’m so bored now because we can’t take our random road trips. You should be here watching movies with me and getting annoyed at me for every little thing I do.

8. I wish I could see you.

I miss hollering at you to get up for school and getting mad at you when you wouldn’t hurry up. I wish you were back here getting on my nerves. I definitely wish I was there in Italy with you.

9. You are IMPORTANT

No matter what people say or think about you, you’re important. You have a special thing about you that seriously means a lot to me. One day, you’re going to find someone special, and that person will show you how important and special you are.

10. Don’t forget me!

Don’t forget our good times together, and don’t forget about me. You hold a special place in my heart, and you always will. You watched me change into a different person, and I’m so glad you were there to watch. God knew what he was doing when he placed you in my life almost a year ago. Thank you for your love and support those 10 months. Thank you for attending all of my games that you could, and thank you for being my little sister.

I wrote this to show my appreciation. You are so awesome, and you are my best friend. I love you so much, and no matter how far apart we are, nothing can take away our friendship.