We go through several stages in our lives, and someone is there through each stage to be your right hand man or your shoulder to cry on. Whether it is the same person or a different person, there is always that person there. So here is a letter for every friend at every stage.

Dear Childhood Friend,

Thank you for being my hour playdate our parents set up. I will always remember playing with dolls and starting our first sports practices together. Thank you for letting me share my first crush with you and tell you about the boy who smiled at me during recess. Thank you for growing up with me and having one of our first sleepovers together. We tried everything together from baking to Disney movies to makeup and nails. Thank you for starting our girly stages together, and thank you for being my childhood person.

Dear Middle School Friend,

Thank you for telling me my hair was straight in the back even though it wasn't. And thank you for making fun of me when I had glasses or braces even if you did, too. I never wanted to go through the middle school stage with anyone else. Thank you for trying out for that sport with me even if we got in trouble for talking during practice. I am so happy you were the shoulder to cry on after my one week relationship with the boy whose locker was five down from mine. You were a true friend when we went back to your house after the New York State Exams. Thank you for being there as we hung out with boys on our parent-watched hangout. I will never forget the memories, television shows, movies, endless sleepovers, and in between class period gossips. Love you always.

Dear High School Friend,

I will never forget you. From our first sneak out to our first beer to first attempts of dressing up at high school dances all the way to high school graduation, it was always you. I will never forget the first texting fights, girl drama, gossip in the classroom, and the constant stares at the upperclassmen during gym class. It was always you who told me about your boy experiences while I listened and waited for my moment to happen. I will always thank you for teaching me how to properly put makeup on and how to hang out with guys one on one. This stage in my life is owed all to me and you and the countless laughs and moments. The times we got grounded for real, and the times we would walk around at night getting food in the town next to us after hanging out with boys we texted even though we barely knew them. This was one of the best stages in my life thanks to you. The memories could go on, but you know you are, and you know all of them. Love you endlessly.

Dear College Friend,

This stage is still occurring, and you're doing a pretty good job at it. Thank you for being my "family" away from home. Thank you for letting me wake up in my clothes from the night before and drinking with me on a Tuesday afternoon after a test we just took. You have been the greatest friend in this stage and will continue to be. Thanks for always having my back and forcing me to get up for my 8 a.m. classes. Thank you for gong out with me even if you don't want to, and thank you mostly for letting me be the not-so-serious one when I need to be. This stage will teach us how to grow up and how to be ourselves, and so far this stage has been an adventure with you. So thanks to my college friend. XOXO

Dear Friend Who has Been There for Each Stage,

Thank you the most. Thank you for being there for every embarrassing stage and for being there for every moment I needed/will need you. You have been there for every fall and every personal experience. Thank you for letting me share my deepest of secrets with you and for being there even when I pushed you away. Thank you for experiencing every fight. But mostly, thank you for being there to experience all that we have been through, from parties to sports to sporting events to family events to vacations and more. To all the adventures and memories we share, thank you for being my friend for every stage and all the stages of life to come. You are my best of friends, truly.

Dear Sibling Friend,

Thank you for being there at all the times no child would want to be alone. For every family fall to every family event, you have been there. Thank you for the endless Facetimes when we are away from one another, and thank you for laughing with me even when things get ugly. We see all flaws, and we have been through everything together. I love all the memories, from birthdays to sport games to working together to learning how to drive to getting yelled at and watching the other get yelled at; from diapers to our first bras to our first cars to first dorm rooms and more—thank you. I will cherish you forever, you little brat. You are the friend who will never leave, even if you want you. Love you forever.

Dear Future Friend,

I hope you are funny and cool because that would be a shame if I turned boring and got stuck with a boring friend. I can't wait to meet you and to thank you later on for all the mistakes and adventures we will experience together. For any mature decision made later on, I want to thank you for them and for being there as I grow older. For being there for any heartbreak or first date to drinks at a fancy bar to traveling somewhere. Can't wait, future friend!

For all the things I have experienced, I give a shoutout to all my friends and those who have witnessed and been there. Here are short letters to you—you rock.