In life, we tend to have many best friends. As we grow, friendships change and we lose some friends while making new ones. This is normal, so don't be alarmed. To be honest, it's tough to lose a best friend. It's tough to realize that you've grown apart. But just know that down the road you will find another best friend.

Dear First Best Friend,

We were kind of born into this friendship. That's what happens when your parents are best friends. Whether or not you acknowledge me as being your first best friend, just know that I will always consider you as mine. When we were younger, I think we were a lot friendlier with one another. We coordinated halloween costumes. We went on weekend trips together. We had plenty of family BBQs. But as we got older, things changed a lot. We still hung out when our families got together. We still associated and had some fun with one another. But the friendship wasn't really there anymore. I think it was gone by the time we had turned double-digits. We just became two very different people. But you will always be my first best friend.

Dear Second Best Friend,

Hello. It has literally been forever. I think the last time I saw you was in junior high and even that was a very brief encounter. You weren't my first best friend, but you were the first friend that really felt like my best friend. We were practically inseparable. I honestly can't remember a time during my childhood when we weren't hanging out. We were either in your backyard or in my backyard, playing on our swing-sets and in our blow up pools. We would go out into my front yard and you would climb the street pole right up into the tree. You were literally a monkey. I remember when we went with your dad somewhere and his car died. I remember when your house was being renovated and you lived in the next town over. We also can't forget our Britney Spears obsession. When you said you were moving away, I was devastated. I remember going to the beach with you the night before you left. We had a very weird photo session, all of which still remains in an album on my Facebook. We've both changed a lot. If I met you for the first time today, I'm not so sure we would even acknowledge one another. You're very different now and so am I. Regardless of this fact, I will always cherish our friendship and miss having you as a best friend.

Dear Third Best Friend,

You are my sister. No, that's not an expression; you are biologically my sister. You are only listed as my third best friend because you were not yet born when my first and second best friendships existed. Sorry! You will always be my best friend. We still may not realize it yet, but one day when we're older we will realize that we're each other's best friend. We have a bond that will last forever. You are my only sibling- we're kind of stuck with one another. We bicker and fight, but that's a normal sibling relationship. We'll outgrow this soon enough- we're getting to the ages where its no longer necessary. We also have tons of fun with one another and it will only get more fun as we get older. No matter what happens from here on out, just know that you will always be my best friend.

Dear Fourth Best Friend,

In elementary school, I didn't really have one best friend but rather a group. This was the time in our schooling where we had fun almost all the time. From class activities to recess to beach day, we always had fun times together. One of the most fun things I can remember was our 6th grade talent show. After much thought regarding which song we would use, we settled on some classic Spice Girls and needless to say, whenever I hear Wannabe, I start singing and dancing and remember how much fun we had putting that all together. It's the little things like this that I remember. No matter how far we go, you all will always be my elementary school group of best friends. We all hung out so much and I actually accomplished my first real sleepover at one of your houses! Again, this is little but memorable to me. I bet you're all doing great things at college.

Dear Fifth Best Friend,

Oh gosh. Where do I start with you? Our friendship is really like no other. After all, you're 20 years older than me. But that has never meant a thing; age has never mattered. I'd like to think that I'm a very mature person and that is why our friendship has worked so well. You moved in when I was in junior high, and babysitting your kids very quickly became a friendship. You were the person I went to when I wanted to chat with an adult other than my parents. But you never treated me as a child; you treated me as a friend. You treated me just like any other friend of yours. We had a lot of fun and interesting times. I attended many different events with your family, doubling as your babysitter and friend. We would watch movies and eat popcorn at your house after you put the kids to bed. When you needed to talk, I was there. And if I needed to talk, you were there. I hope you still are.

Dear Sixth Best Friend,

This is a group of you- you know who you are. In the later portion of junior high and all throughout high school, you were my best friends. You mostly still are. After growing up in the same town, we finally decided to grow up together. While it is nice to grow up with people from elementary school on, when you reach high school it means a lot more to grow up together. This is where everybody is trying to decide what to do with their lives. We all leaned on one another to survive classes, teachers and gym (gag). You were my support system throughout the most awkward yet interesting years of my life so far and I will never be able to thank you enough. We all went through the college application process together and now we've moved on to these colleges. Some of you are 900 miles away, and others are 20-30 miles away. Regardless, we've all moved on to new things. Unfortunately, we all knew that this time would come eventually. We stay in touch, not as much as I'd like us to, but enough. When we see one another, things practically pick up where they left off. Although there's no more late night Buffalo Wild Wings runs, or spontaneous Magic Fountain trips, or beach days or movie dates, there are still the memories of these things. We have created unforgettable memories from the stupidest of things. In the future we're not going to remember the pitiful fights; we'll remember these stupid little things that created memories. I miss you all and can't wait to be reunited and spend the summer together.

Dear Seventh Best Friend,

I can't tell you how much you mean to me. You're not only my best friend, but you're practically family. We are becoming adults together. We're facing the big and scary real world together. We stress out about classes, midterms, papers and finals. We often find ourselves making Target runs after 10PM, when the employees are doing their weird cart ritual. Thank God that fast food joints are open until 2AM; that's also a typical lifesaver for us. We casually stay at each other's houses like we live there. We binge watch Netflix TV shows while consuming pints of Ben & Jerry's. I'm there for you and you're there for me. We laugh, cry and everything in between. We spend many late nights hidden among our pillows talking about life. I know just about everything about you and you know just about everything about me. There isn't any other friend I feel more comfortable talking to. We are basically the same person, which is why we get along so well. I not only see us living together for the next three years, but I also see us being friends for the rest of our lives. Actually, I know we will. After all, we do have a Pinterest board with "My Aunt Is the Coolest" clothing for our future children. We are mature enough to know how to handle a friendship and make it work, regardless of any obstacles that may come into our path. This is why I'm confident that you will be my best friend forever. Thank you for being my best friend. I love you lots.

All of these best friends have played a vital role in my life. It is these people who have shaped me, both in good and rather not so good ways. Your friends, especially best friends, help you to discover yourself. They are there for you for a certain period of time, if not forever. I love them all and know they will do many great things in their lives.