Jamie and I have been the very best of friends since we first met in 2013. Our friendship has always raised questions as to whether or not we were dating, because we were inseparable. We spent every moment we could together, and always had a great time. He really made high school a dream for me; all of my friends did, of course, but Jamie was my very first and very best friend.
2013
However, the thing about Jamie is that when I first met him, he was a gay girl. Of course, he always looked boyish - with his hair cut short and the clothes he wore, dressing primarily in blues and blacks. But he referred to himself as a gay "she", rather than a hetero "he". That scenario changed in its own time, though, as Jamie is now absolutely a dude and will not tolerate being called anything but.
2014
Many of the people who knew us in high school often speculated if we were together, because we had always been very attached to each other. We ate lunch together, took walks together, and during times when we shut out everybody else in our lives, we still remained the best of friends. We have shared so many inside jokes, and something we always laughed about was how serious Jamie was every time he called me obnoxious. I would annoy the living hell out of him as if my life depended on it, and he would simply roll his eyes and say, "Sammie! Eeeenough!", but always reminded me that he still loved me anyway.
Digital Media Class, 2014
My friendship with Jamie forced me to witness the occasional cruelty of others, and allowed me to recognize that, no matter what, it's always okay to be yourself. Jamie absolutely never required or sought out approval from others; he did what he wanted, because this was his body, his mind, his life. He didn't settle for anybody talking down to him, or behind his back - he has never shied away from living exactly the way that makes him happiest.
Football season, 2014
Watching this man evolve and develop into what he was always destined to become has been ultimately a privilege for me, because I have learned so much more than I ever thought possible just by being someone's best friend. Jamie has demonstrated courage, bravery, self-love, and confidence that have even broken down some of my walls.
2015
I will always have the utmost respect for anybody who works hard and perseveres every day just to be who they are on the inside. And (as if it even needed to be said) I will always accept my best friend and anybody who goes through what he goes through, exactly as they are.
Love you forever, Jamie.
