The two of us were not "supposed" to become friends. We aren’t even supposed to like each other, if I’m being blunt. As a matter of fact, you were the last person I ever would have expected to become so close with, though you always seemed like somebody I could easily get along with. We met by chance, not expecting to get along so well, but quickly realized within our first conversation that we had way too much in common not to form a friendship. Initially, I think we were both very weary to even talk to each other because you had taken so much abuse from one of my former friends. I didn’t want you to think I played a role in what had been said about you for so long, and you feared that I saw you as the terrible person you had falsely been made out to be. But instead of associating me with my former friend, you looked past this former relationship and saw me as an individual. This not only disproves every negative word spoken of you, but also demonstrates the copious amount of maturity you possess.

One thing I have valued about our friendship since day one is your honesty. You are unafraid to speak your mind and give your honest opinion on what the right thing to do is. You have never just given me the answers that I want to hear, but instead, the ones I need to hear. Even though sometimes it sucks to hear the truth, I'd rather be making the better decision. You not only think with your brain, but you think with your heart as well. When you believe in something, you believe in it passionately, which is why I take your opinions with much more than just a grain of salt.

Your strength, your bravery, and your absolute dedication to making the best out of situations that most people would just give up on is something I admire about you more than I can even describe. And yes, I said your strength. You have the world's best brave face, and you put up a better fight than anyone I know; yet I have never seen you break down. But know if you ever do, I'll be there for you just like you have been there for me. I wish I could have stood by you in July of 2015 (and before), but I met you too late. Please know, though, if we had been friends at that time, I absolutely would have helped you heal in any way I possibly could have.

Before I knew you, I was stuck in that toxic friendship with someone I couldn't rely on half the time. You, the last person on Earth I thought I would ever get to know, ended up being the one rushing to my house at 1AM when I called you up crying; only to stay awake with me until 5AM when you had to be up for work at 7. You say I have nothing to thank you for, but I owe you much more than just that. I'm so glad that you helped me out of a friendship that was both mentally and emotionally draining and showed me what it's like to have someone equally as there for me as I am for them. For so long, I was best friends with the wrong person.

So to you, my unlikely friend, I do not regret a moment of time we have spent together laughing, talking, crying, ranting, binging on ice cream, getting tatted together (we apologize, mom’s) or texting about the adventures we’re gonna take this summer. Thank you for showing me how to be strong, brave, and how to hold my own when it comes to absolutely everything that I've ever felt too scared to stand up for myself about. Your beauty both inside and outshines constantly, and I hope that even on your rainiest days, you can look in the mirror and know that if your own strength ever isn't enough, you will always have mine to lean on as well.