Dear Best Friend,

How can I still call myself your best friend when I always end up breaking our snap streaks and don't show up in person as often as I used to?

I am a bad best friend because I have taken you for granted. I see everyone popping up on social media with images of themselves with their friends. Whenever I see that, I think of us, or at least how we used to be. We went to community college together. That's where this BFF relationship really grew into the beautiful piece of my life.

I'll never forget what brought us close, and much closer since then. We met through mutual friends, but the thing that amazed me the most about you was how you saw me. You never thought I was boring or not interesting enough. You told me that what I felt were the worst parts of me were actually the best ones.

You thought it was hilarious when my bubble tea exploded onto the table and walls of Pho House. You didn't agree with who I was dating, but you gave him another chance because he meant something to me. You were there when he broke my heart. You most definitely thought it, but you never said, "I told you so." You sat there and let me cry my eyes out.

Having you with me during those times meant so much to me. When those fake friends dumped me, you swooped right on in to be there for me. You introduced me to our last triad member and our other best friend. I miss our friend dates we named after every day of the week. I miss spending time with the first female in my life to get that no matter how imperfect I am, the best is worth waiting for. You hung in there with me, and now we have our friendship and all the memories that go with it.

I'm sorry if I made you feel lonely or without your best friend. You still mean so much to me, more than I could ever put into words. I plan on making good on our plans and promises. No matter how busy our lives get, I'll make time to be a great best friend.

I hope everyone can have a best friend that can outlast romantic interests, fake friends, and time itself.

You're in Salisbury and I'm in Towson, but we'll never be too far away to be there for one another. When you need me, send out an SOS. Whatever that SOS or safeword is, I'll be on my way. You can caw-caw or yell "pineapple," either way, I'll know you need your best friend.

Best friendships are important to have. They are life-defining. They reveal so much about who you are. I realize more and more every day why my best friends are who they are and I don't need anyone else. It's their quality that counts.

I remembered to be thankful for them last Thanksgiving. And even if I don't say it enough, I am thankful for you both every day.

I'll never forget us.

You are the kind of best friend every girl needs because you give me the best and worst advice. You always have a unique perspective on things. You see things in ways I don't. We won't always agree, but you always get me to listen. It doesn't bother me when you give me your advice without asking because you're you. I love that what comes out of your mouth is so unpredictable. Even when you start with "Okay hear me out," the rest of that sentence will be something I wouldn't expect to hear.

We bond over our similarities and differences. We laugh together, but you mostly laugh at me. I've learned it's not a bad thing to be laughed at when it's someone you trust and know cares about you. Even if everything we say to each other doesn't halt our breathing, it does entertain us so much we start to laugh. We can't help but laugh when we are the ones to embarrass ourselves all the time.

Something I admire is how honest you are. You are honest about everything. You always tell people how you see things. Everything you say is unfiltered. I know what you're thinking and feeling all the time. I feel bad for the unsuspecting strangers who end up in the crossfires. I get you and the whole misunderstood thing.

We could both be working, but I'll always end up paying the bill, your half and mine. You know me so well, you know I'll cover us. You just expect to be spoiled. That bothers me when it comes to my actual younger sister, but not in you. I don't mind doing it and that won't change.

You and I never stop talking. We always find something to talk about. Silence bugs me and you don't really care about silence, you just want to enjoy our hangouts. Our time together has shrunk more and more, but we still have each other to call, text, snap, or DM when we need to talk to someone.

The biggest thing you did and still do is teach me about platonic love.

I am brainwashed with the Hollywood representations of romance. Platonic love never really struck me as important until I was put in the position of reflecting on the difference between being alone and being lonely. The place I was in mentally at the time before I met you proved that those two things can be mutually exclusive. I felt both at the same time. I didn't know real friendship until I found my best friend in you.

This is my love letter. My love letter to my best friend, the best friend who taught me everything I know about platonic love today.

I love you, best friend.

Yours truly,

The Girl Who Hopes She's Still Your Best Friend