I remember the first day that we met like it was yesterday. It was our junior year in high school and I was walking across the practice field to go join my fellow percussionists when I stopped dead in my tracks. For some reason unknown to me at the time, I had an overwhelming urge to look over to my left. When I turned my head, that's when I saw you standing there in all of your perfection. You were in a group of other band kids just talking, but I could sense there was something different about you.
You were absolutely oblivious to the fact that those around you seemed to hang on your every word. In my mind I didn't think you knew just how much effect you had on others, and it was in that moment I decided that I needed to be your friend. And that was the day my life changed forever. At first we had the typical "new friends" conversations but eventually we kind of just effortlessly turned into best friends.
There wasn't a day that went by that we didn't talk. Whether it was at lunch or when we were at home, it was one of the first times I felt like someone actually cared about me. You opened up your heart to me and loved me unconditionally. You were my inspiration to follow Jesus and I can never thank you enough for that.
In the moments that I had breakdowns and told you that I didn't want to live you didn't run away. In fact you held on and told me that you loved me and didn't want me to die and for the first time that I can remember, I felt love. That is the greatest gift I ever received. You held my hand and offered a shoulder to cry on in the darkest of times. You've always been and always will be a constant source of love and laughter in my life.
My biggest wish in life is for you to realize just how much you are loved. For you to realize just how amazing and awe-inspiring you truly are. You are by far one of the greatest people I know. The fact that I get to know you and call you my best friend is an honor.
So all in all I just want to say thank you. Thank you for being my friend, my rock. For being one of the only people who understands me and knows what I've been through and still chooses to love me even when I don't love myself. You've seen me at my worst and you didn't back away like everybody else. You have no clue how much you mean to me and how much I love you. I don't know what I'd do without you.
At those moments that I wanted nothing more than to die you gave me a reason to live, and that's the greatest gift I've ever gotten. So I'm sorry if I'm a bit crazy and annoying, it's just I care for you so much and I don't know how to fully express it; hopefully this suffices. Thanks for being in my life and not leaving me when so many others have. You always have and always will be my other half. You are one of the greatest things to ever happen to me, and I can't wait for more CVS parking lot conversations.