To my best friend whom I was lucky enough to meet in college,

When I first moved away to college, I was terrified. That’s not an exaggeration, I swear. I didn’t know anyone, I thought I was incredibly socially awkward back then (not sure much has changed, to be honest) and to top it all off, I didn’t have the luxury of a roommate when initially moving in. I heard older friends from high school tell horror stories about their awkward freshman experiences, and I knew right away that I was destined to be the loner. Then I met you, and my life has not been the same ever since.

I no longer have to worry about if I’m going to be eating lunch alone. I can text you and say, “Meet me at the bistro in 20 minutes,” and sure enough, you’ll be there. Probably 10 minutes late, but still. If I forget my swipe for the cafe, you’re more than happy to use one of your swipes so that I can grab lunch with you in between class.

I can count on you to be right by my side in those mandatory classes, bright and early at 9 a.m., with two French vanilla iced coffees in hand. Not to mention, you’re always there to help me study and hear my seemingly endless papers for classes. Let’s not forget those long nights in the computer lab “studying” for midterms together until the sun rises. Somehow, we still passed with flying colors, and I credit that to you to this day.

You’re there for me through the good and bad. The crazy relationship drama. The “I want a boyfriend” phase and the “I’m totally better off enjoying my single life” phase. You listen to whatever problems I’m facing at the time and give me 100 percent honest advice and opinions, although sometimes I wish you’d be slightly less honest (just kidding, maybe).

I don’t even know the meaning of “bored” anymore. Even when we’re just hanging out in our room, staring at our phones, we somehow manage to keep ourselves entertained by sending each other funny pictures or tagging one another in ridiculous memes on social media. When it comes to the weekends, there’s nothing stopping us from going out and having a good time. Even when it takes us an hour or two to get ready, we still manage to get out there and make the most of the night. If it’s not going out on a Friday night, it’s driving 45 minutes to the nearest Chick-Fil-A in the next state over to satisfy our hunger and our desire to drive and listen to ridiculous music ranging from The Last Five Years to Beyoncé.

Oh, and on the nights when we do take forever to get ready, it’s because we’re extremely honest when it comes to our opinions of each other’s outfits. It also doesn’t help that sharing a closet means close to an endless amount of possibilities when it comes to what to wear out. I am extremely grateful that you’re so willing to share your super cute clothes with me.

You have been my shoulder to cry on countless times. I know that I can tell you absolutely anything and you have no judgment toward me, even though sometimes I say or do things that give you every right to start judging. You understand the crazy way my mind works, and not many people can confidently say that. I have made some very tough decisions in the past and you have been right there by my side defending my choices, always willing to give the best advice you could offer. You understand my financial difficulties more than anyone, and you’re there to buy my Taco Bell on a Saturday night at 3 a.m. when I notice my bank account has roughly $3.47 in it.

You have become more than my best friend – you are my sister and I would not trade that relationship for the world. You’ve become a member of my family and you will be right by my side on my wedding day (it’s okay if you laugh at that -- I know I did). I honestly don’t know what I would do without you, and I’m happy knowing that I will never have to wonder because I’m confident that we’ll be here for one another until the end.

Endless Love,

Your Lifetime Best Friend