One day in every college student's experience, you will come to the realization that some friendships will not last forever. Some friendships are left behind in your hometown, some friends slowly grow apart from one another. Then there will be the "friends" that leave when things change, when things get hard, and when you need them the most. If you get lucky, though, there will be that one friend that sticks with you through it all. This one is for you, the friend that never left.

Through the good and the bad, you have always been there. Dancing the night away and making fools out of ourselves will forever be some of my favorite memories. Every themed party - we were there. Ridiculous outfits, but we didn't care. We had fun, made the most out of Friday and Saturday nights, and can look back and smile knowing we were living in the moment.

Delaying the studying and having heart-to-heart conversations late at night in my dorm, those were what got me through the week. You and I both know that freshman year was a whirlwind. From my first crush on a boy to my first heartbreak, you were there to listen and give advice. I may not have always taken that advice, but I appreciated your support and encouragement through it all. When I went on dates, you were the first to ask me how it went. When I finally ended up with the right guy, you were the first one to tell me how happy you were. When I was stressing with school, missing home, or just bummed out, you were there to cheer me up. The past couple of years I have lost and gained friends, but you have been there through it all and I can never thank you enough.

Thanks for never judging me, only wanting to help, and always being honest. Thanks for taking care of me when I'm sick, taking lots of lame mirror selfies with me, being my shoulder to cry on, and always being down to get pizza and wine.

Thanks for not leaving when things changed. Moving to different apartment buildings, getting jobs, staying busy with school and life, we don't see each other as much as we used to. But, I know you are the friend that I could live 20,000 miles away from and things would stay the same. We would meet up five years later and catch up right where we left off.

I don't know what I did to deserve a friend like you, but I am forever thankful that God's plan was for us to become friends. I can't thank you enough for being the person that held me together when I was falling apart. Your friendship means more to me than gold, rubies, and pearls - and I will treasure it forever. So here's to my favorite criticizer, dance partner, sister, future bridesmaid, and best friend. Thanks for never leaving.