Dear best friend,

Listen, we’ve been through a lot. We’ve known each other for what seems like forever and I’m writing you this letter to say how much you really mean to me. You have been by my side my whole life. No matter where life has taken us, I know I can always count on you.

My aunt always says if you can find one good, true friend for life, than you are privileged. I stopped calling you a friend awhile ago because you became my sister. You know more about me than anyone else in the world. You are my secret keeper, my shoulder to cry on and my laugh when I’m feeling down. You are my rock.

We met when we were three years old, and there was always something about you I connected with. In the beginning, we were polar opposites, but now, we are twins. I have never been so inseparable with someone. Most people can’t say their best friend when they were three was still their best friend when they are 20, but we can. We get each other, and we know each other. You are always there to count on when I need you most but also when I think I need you least.

I’ve always known you would be my maid of honor at my wedding, my children’s godmother at their baptisms and the one to organize my funeral (assuming I die first). We grew up together, and no matter where life took us, we never lost touch. Yes, we’ve gone weeks without speaking because of our busy lives, but when we talked again, nothing changed. The exception is the time we got into a three-month-long fight in fifth grade that we don’t speak of anymore. As we head more and more into adulthood, I realize I need you now more than ever. I always needed you right by my side, and you were there through some really hard times. So, this is more of a thank you letter.

Honestly, thank you for putting up with me. Friends have come and gone but you have been right by my side through it all. Many people our age haven’t had a friend for 17 years, which is a really long time. We went from Bible school buddies, to the dance competition duo, to awkward middle school BFFs, to partners in crime, and I know very well we will be the two batty old ladies causing trouble in the nursing home.

I love you more than words can say. Thank you for being you. Thank you for being my secret keeper. Thank you for being my rock. Thank you for being my shoulder to cry on. Thank you for being my laugh. Thank you for being my best friend, now until the end. Like the Bruno Mars song says, “You can count on me, like one-two-three, and I’ll be there. And I know if I need it I can count on you, like four-three-two, and you’ll be there.” We can always count on each other, and that is the one thing in life I am sure of.

Love,