You've been my best friend since I was 14, and from that day forward you've had my back. You have been there for all my moments. Whether it be as small as a fight with a friend, or as big as graduating high school. You have always been there for me to hug in joy or to hold me as I cry. It's safe to say my teen years wouldn't have been the same without you. As you take a major step in your life, a piece of my heart crumbles.

Let me just say, I have always been proud of you. I have watched you shape and form from a goofy 16-year-old boy to an amazing 20-something man. I have watched you struggle, and I have watched you succeed, and that is such a privilege to me. But I've taken advantage of being able to watch you grow so close-up. You have never been more than an hour car ride away from me. You are always a phone call (sometimes two - it might be beneficial if you learn to pick up the phone the first time) and a quick drive over. You have been at a comfortable arms reach to me, and I've grown accustomed to it. I have grown accustomed to you telling me to come over when I'm having a bad day. I have grown accustom to eating gross 711 pizza that you claim is "wicked amazing," and binge watching Paul Walker movies. I have grown accustomed to your loud snoring and your sleep talking. I have grown accustomed to having someone answer my texts at 2 a.m. when I'm homesick. I have grown accustomed to having a best friend so close to my heart.

My heart crumbles when I realize this is the first time we're going to be far apart for a long period of time. You won't always be there to answer my texts at 2 a.m. I won't hear your loud and annoying snoring for months. I know you will almost always be more than an hour away from me. I know I won't hear your laugh in the driver's seat next to me whenever I'm missing you. But I know that you are pursing an amazing life, and that makes my heart feel whole again.

I am so incredibly proud of you for pursing a career in the military. I can't wait to see your picture and tell everyone "that's my best friend!" I have grown accustomed to having a best friend so close to my heart, and I know that you will stay there no matter how far you are from home. I miss you already and I know that I'm always rooting for you, Paul Walker movies, 711 pizza and all.

With love,

Your best friend.