I can’t possibly thank you enough for literally being there for me when I felt like I had nothing else. When I felt like I was so alone and that there was no way up anymore. When most people would have run away, you stayed. You listened to me cry and held me when I needed it. Always greeted me with hugs and love. But you never left me and never once told me I was being impossible.

I know that it couldn’t have been easy dealing with me all the time. I know that sometimes I seemed like a major Debby Downer and that I often tried not to socialize. But you helped pull me from the world of darkness and constantly rescued me from rock bottom. Over and over again you were there for me. Sometimes even more than I was there for myself.

You didn’t listen to the stigma. You didn’t listen to anything like that because you knew that I needed a friend and you walked into my life, or chose not to walk away when it mattered the absolute most. Many people feel like they must keep those dark feelings inside. Feeling as though if they speak about them or tell anyone they won’t be real. They won’t be serious. They won’t matter. That’s what stigmatizing mental illness does. But it’s real. It’s serious. It matters.

My trust has been broken, my courage deteriorated. The little strength that I have, some days seems impossible to find. But there’s you, yes you, who held on the entire time. Never once shying away from me or pushing me away. In fact, you never let me push you away. You helped me reach out and realize that it’s not as scary as I thought it would be. You were there through the tears, the emotions, the urges to fall back off track and turn to the bad, and the dreary days. You were there to stand by my side in some way through it all. I’ll never be able to fully thank you for that.

I can’t even begin to tell you what it means to have someone who believes in you and your abilities when you hardly believe in them yourself. To have a person who builds you up and values you as a person. To find a person who makes sure they show you that you’re worthy. To be shown that your life matters and everything you do matters. But that is just what you taught me.

I learned that I am loved. I am good enough. I matter. I have the ability to change lives. I am strong. You taught me this and oh so much more.

Thank you. I can’t say it enough. But thank you for opening my eyes to the world around me. A world that is full of love and hope, not despair and loneliness. Thanks for holding my hand and walking alongside me while I was at the bottom of all rocks. Thanks for guiding me to brighter days. Thanks for never giving up on me or letting me give up on myself.

It might seem like a small gesture on your end, you were simply my friend. But the impact you’ve had on my life doesn’t go unnoticed. You’ve given me a piece of hope and light, something I hope I can bring to your life one day.

Thank you for existing and loving me for the person I am.