Dear Caia,

I can't believe you are already a year old! Where did the time go? It seems as if just yesterday your mom and I were talking online and she told me the news I was so excited for her and I almost couldn't believe what she was telling me. I was so happy for her, but I too was sad for her because she wasn't able to share the news with her mother, as she had passed away. You see, I have come to know you though pictures that your mom and dad share online with the rest of the world. You are beautiful and good mix of both your mom and dad. As I can see from the pictures, your mom still has her impeccable taste of fashion and you always look amazing and super cute. I know you because your mom and I have been friends since the fourth grade and grew up together and have shared many milestones together.. As long as I can remember, your mom has been through it all with me.

Let me tell you our story and to catch you up. We met roughly around fourth grade. Not exactly sure the date or time, but that is when it all started. We would hang out at each others houses and be on the phone with each other for hours and talk about who knows what. With us, it was then onto fifth grade, and we graduated elementary school, then we went into the dreaded middle school. This is where our dynamics became more obvious. We again had non stop sleepovers, middle school dances where your grandma and my mom would be our taxi service to and from the dances. I also remember a few times where we all would pack in the car with Danielle's moms Fiero and we would come out looking like a clown car at the circus. Always together we would talk about boys and our crushes and who we liked non stop. We had some good times at her house that if for sure. Her mom, that would be your grandmother would make the best breakfast for us from scratch. Usually they consisted of pancakes, bacon, sausage, and eggs. Her house, I remember always smelled good. In addition, I remember it being very warm ( in the winter months) and always very inviting. She was amazing, and I am so glad I had such good memories of her and she is greatly missed by many. Please ask your mom to talk about her. Please understand that she may get teary eyed when she does because she misses her so much and she probably sees a little of her in you when you give her certain looks. Also there were times when I was at the house, your grandpa would usually be outside in the yard or in front of the TV watching some sort of sports. There too, would always be funny conversations between him and your Uncle Shannon, and he too in turn would pick on me and your mom all in good fun. Some of my best childhood memories come from your grandmas and grandpa's house.

Then, we proceeded to entering high school. With high school, came drivers ed, student council, and entering a school where we merged with the other middle school in town. It was a whole new transitional period for us, and somehow we got through it together. Even despite your mom moving about 45 minutes away, we still kept in close contact and our moms help coordinate with driving us back and forth to see each other. In addition, we kept in touch with letters, pictures and phone calls when we really needed to hear each other in person.

Then, we graduated from different high schools. In addition, your mom went away to college and I stayed where we had grown up together, and went to a local community college to work on getting my GPA up, so I could then transfer out of town. She actually was in a sorority and met my sister while attending college (this we learned later) and she had met some really great girlfriends there too, which I too became friends with after she graduated.

Then, I got pregnant at the age of 20, and your mom came to see me for a weekend while she was home visiting for a weekend, and got to see my big belly. We hung out at the mall and my apartment that I lived in at the time with my mom. It was so good to see her and catch up. My son was born in January of 1995, but she still got to see him when she was home and she could. She was his first crush. He loved your mom and still does to this day.

Then the next milestone we shared, was when I got married and she was right by my side when it all happened. She was indeed my maid of honor. She was the closest that I had to being a sister, and she was by my side throughout that whole day. Through the hair appointments, and getting ready for my big day. It couldn't be any other way, and I wouldn't want it to be either. She was the one thing that I knew no matter where were at that time in our lives, we would always be there for the other one.

She had moved to New York to go to school and I stayed in a area just north of Detroit. We kept in touch and I was so excited the day that she called and needed a place to stay cause she had an interview and she stayed with me at my house. This meant she could be coming back. She got the job and she moved back and we just started where we had left off a few years prior. Then it was Thursday nights at my house with your mom bringing her laundry over, we shared bottles of wine, Chinese food, bad TV shows and now websites where we could meet boys. She has always been in my life in one way or another.

I have since moved to New York and now your mom and dad live in Minnesota. We have remained in touch, but unfortunately, I haven't met you yet. In addition, I don't get to see your mom as much as I would like to either, but too I am hoping soon that will change. I want to meet you very badly and meet your dad as well, but from the pictures I have seen, you are very happy and healthy and your parents are doing a wonderful job with you. I am just sad that I can't be a current part of your life because the distance is keeping that from happening at the moment in time of this letter. In time I hope that will change. I would love for you to meet my children, in hopes that one day you can all be friends.

Caia, what I want you to get from this letter is this. Your mom is a great person and will be there for you no matter what. I know this personally as every time I have needed her she has been there for me. We have laughed and cried together on many occasions in person and over the phone. She has a genuine smile that she can light up in any room and she has a fashion forward sense all her own. She never passes judgments about anyone and feels there is good in all people. She always knows the right thing to say and do, and you can tell her anything and she can keep secrets. She is a great friend and confidant. She may yell at you, because that is what sometimes moms do, but no matter what she loves you. She will always keep you safe, and when you aren't with her know that you are the first thing on her mind always. You are so very lucky to have my best friend as a mom. Please for me, give her all the hugs and kisses she deserves. I love her and miss her terribly, so if you could do that for me, I would be grateful. She has many endless stories to tell you too about her mom. Please when you are old enough to ask, please let her tell your stories, and listen to them. And when you are old enough to understand her pain of missing her mom, she will have her loving daughter to wipe away the tears and you will be there for her to hug. Hold onto her tight, and don't let go.

That is a bond between mother and daughter that only is understood between the two of you. May your guardian angel be there to watch over the both of you and guide you on your journey. Let your bond grow stronger everyday and may one day you two have the relationship that your mom and your grandmother once shared. May too one day be your mother's best friend.

With much love,

Tiffany (your mom's childhood best friend)