Dear best friend,

This is dedicated to you. I needed to find a way to say thank you and I couldn't think of a better way than this. I know I never come right out and say how much I appreciate you, but I think it is about time that you get an idea.

All throughout my life, I was that person who wandered from group to group in search of a place where I fit in. I never found one and ultimately decided that I didn’t need any super close friends or a "group". I always had acquaintances, some friends and then the occasional “best” friend, but never someone who I could truly confide in. I always considered those to be surface-level relationships. We would be close until one day we began to just grow apart. There were never any hard feelings… we were just not meant to be friends. After many years, I had come to accept the fact that I was going to be a person that didn’t have a best friend and I was fine with that idea. I had gotten good at being independent.

I came to college knowing very few people and I left my hometown with even fewer connections. I felt like it was time for me to get a fresh start. And within the first few weeks, I really felt like I was getting that opportunity. I joined clubs and participated in different activities with so many different people, and one of those people was you. We began to talk and we began to bond over things that we had in common, but we had so many differences and that was hard for me to overlook. Once the meeting ended, I knew that I had at least made another connection. I was excited about that because it was someone else that I knew on a campus of 20,000 people. I assumed you were just going to be another acquaintance because that is what I considered everyone to be until they proved me wrong. You were also one of those people. You went out of your way to talk to me and to hang out with me.

To be completely honest, I was shocked. I had never had anyone do that for me, including my supposed “best friends”. If I didn’t write them first or go sit by them, I would be left in the dust. They expected me to follow them around like a puppy and that is not the type of person I am. Now that I look back, I was lonely and I was trying desperately to convince myself that I was an independent person. Not that I’m not independent, because I am. I just never knew what it was like to have a best friend; someone you can tell all of your secrets to, one of the first people you call with good news and a shoulder to cry on. Now, after many years, I am finally able to do that.

I honestly have no idea where I would be right now if you were not part of my life. Since meeting you, I can’t imagine my life without you. Despite all our differences, you have proven time and time again what a good friend you really are. So, I think it is time that I recognize that. Thank you for all of the constant laughs. Thank you for dealing with all my crazy shenanigans. Thank you for throwing ridiculous concerts with me... whether it is in the car, out in public, or in our apartment. Thank you for listening to my drama every day; no matter how pointless it may be. Thank you for helping me in the stickiest of situations that I somehow get myself into. Thank you for showing me what it means to be a true friend because I have never known how. Thank you for being my adopted “sister”. But, most importantly, thank you for being such an important part of my life.

I know I still don't know how to be the perfect best friend and I am trying my hardest to improve, but you accept me for me and that is all I could ask for. I am so grateful to have someone like you to call my best friend. I hope you know how much I love you and I hope you now get an idea of how important you are to me.

With much love,

Your “sister”