Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one." - C.S. Lewis

Friendship happens to so many, but never in the same way. My best friends and I have suffered through high school together, stumbled through early adulthood together and made each other brave in impossible situations. Our friendship has evolved into a dysfunctional family that I would never want to give up. Friend hip like this happens so rarely, so I’m abundantly grateful that it happened for me.

We call our group our group. This belonging with best friends is what drives me, but also what makes me miss them the most. With them, it’s natural. We finish each other’s sentences, cheer during our successes and feel each other’s lows. This belonging to a friendship can happen miles away, minutes apart and infinite amount of years. So thank you for being my rag-tag family.

Thank you for making imprinting memories on places. Whether it is six flags, Starbucks or a junior high hallway, I will always see those places with you in it. You make buildings more than brick and mortar, but a constant memory. I remember times where we sang, skipped and danced with everyone watching down a hallway. I remember where we talked for hours at each other's houses during a sleepover.

Thank you for being individuals. We are not a creepy hive mind, even though it may seem that way. Friendship doesn’t have to be between completely similar people. Some of us study fine art, while some of us study science. As the Cheetah Girls say, “Our spots are different / Different colors.”

Thank you for being there for my past, present, and future. My plans include you and often, depend on you. In all the uncertainty of life, you are the constant. I depend on you because I need you, but also because I plan to have you in my life until we’re playing bridge together.

I couldn’t imagine being friends with anyone else. Thank you for staying around for the craziness, and I promise I’ll stay there for yours. Thank you for giving me something worth missing while I’m away. I miss you guys like crazy every day. I see something that makes me think of you, I sigh. Thank you for being my people, no matter what.