To my forever friends,

High school was far from easy for any of us. From boy problems to picking out what outfit to wear to school each day, we were always there for each other. On some of the worst days of my life, you guys were the ones that helped pull me through. Each and every week I would look forward to our weekend mall trips and sleepovers. I honestly think that during senior year alone, we collectively ate enough Chipotle to feed an entire army.

We were so close for so many years that we knew we would stay friends after graduation. There was no question about it. One thing I think we also knew, that none of us would dare say out loud, is that we were no longer going to be as close as we had always been. Our friend group is scattered all the way from Pittsburg down to JMU and I know that I have never felt as alone as I did that first semester after everyone left for college. Our group chat was the only thing that got me through.

Though the distance that college put between us is geographical, it feels like the amount of miles is not the only thing that is keeping us apart. As we all change and grow, we seem to be growing in slightly different directions. Everyone has new friends and new boyfriends and it is the weirdest feeling in the world not knowing each and every detail about all of your lives anymore.

We all still keep in touch, and some of you I see and talk to often. But to those of you that I do not get to see as often, I hope you know that I miss you. I miss you and I look forward to every summer that everyone comes home and we can be reunited over wine and pizza once again.

Life is busy and we are all on our own separate journeys to discovering who we are and what we are going to do in life. Even though days or even weeks may go by where we don't talk, you all should know that I am rooting for you. Every single thing that you go through, I am still right there cheering for you on the sidelines just like it has always been and I know that you are cheering for me too.

No matter how many miles are put between us, we will always be best friends.

College is different than what we were used to. Not bad, just different. Instead of depending on each other, we have to learn to depend on ourselves a little bit more. It has been almost two years since graduation and I now realize that I can depend on myself and the reason I can is because of my high school best friends. It was my high school best friends that built me up for so many years, making sure I knew that I was capable and loved.

It was my high school best friends that stood by my side through every embarrassing bad hair-do, silly-band wearing, teen-angst phase of my life. It is my high school best friends, my forever friends, that I want to say thank you to for everything.

Thank you for who you are, and who you've made me.

Love,

The forever friend you have in me.