Dear Emily,

Do you remember building towers with the magnets in our second-grade classroom? Having to be called Emily H and playing electricity in fourth grade? Playing youth winter soccer with my dad as the coach? All of those chorus concerts that we didn’t want to wear white shirts for? When you were an ancestor and I was a hun in our school’s production of Mulan? Do you remember spending time with me learning US history during junior year? Carrying the flags for the Volleyball players’ parade for States? How I called you the people’s queen after you won Homecoming Queen our senior year?

I can’t even remember when we learned that we have the same middle name, but I remember being friends with you for most of our lives. I always remember you as one of the tallest girls in our grade with long hair, glasses, bangs, a nice smile, and a kind personality. That mental picture of you is quite a few years old now, it’s actually from elementary school. Now as a college freshman you have long hair, wear contacts, no bangs, tall but not the tallest, a nice smile, and still a kind personality. I think the biggest change is you went from being cute to being drop dead gorgeous.

I’m so thankful to have you in my life, Em. I’m so lucky to have you. Even though we’re at different colleges, our friendship is still strong. I’ve been friends with you since we were the little second graders learning about dinosaurs and how to take our first New York State tests to right now when we’re second semester college students battling midterms once again. Thank you for sticking by my side through everything that goes on in this crazy world.

I can’t wait to see what the future years brings you. All these days of studying right now will help you become a fantastic teacher, one who is remembered for her nice smile and kind personality. These crazy days of being young will be gone soon, so create amazing memories now. I know I can’t wait to be home so we can create some together.

I hope you have your best birthday yet. I hope the day is wonderful and full of fun birthday surprises. I hope all of the birthday celebrations with your different family members create special memories you’ll have forever. I hope everything goes exactly as you want it to. But I especially hope the day reminds you how very much you are loved.

Happy birthday sweet girl! I love you, Emily!