I am a better person because of you, and you never even had to push me. It just happened. We can talk about anything and everything, and I know there will never be judgment, just loving genuine support. You are one of the most brilliant women I know. You are the most loving, gentle, and caring person, and your radiating light and personality shines through everything you do: whether it be for school, for work, or for your own enjoyment. You are a light source, illuminating through your beautiful always-there smile. You make me laugh harder than most people, make me think about things in new and different ways.

You are not always like that, though. I’ve seen you break down into more pieces than I ever thought a person could, and to be honest, I’ve never felt more small or more helpless than in that moment. The first time I saw that cloud take over you terrified me. I had no idea what to do, how to help. We were friends, but nowhere near the intimacy we share today. I did what I thought was the best thing to do: give you Kleenex, make you drink water, try and talk it out. I think it helped, I’m not really sure. I think I acted more as a watcher than a comforter that night. I was so scared you were going to hurt yourself. All I could do was sit there, scared shitless, while you sunk further and further into your own head.

We’ve come a long way since that night. I’m so grateful to have you in my life, and I’m so happy to name you one of my best friends. You’ve come even further, though. I cannot tell you how much I admire the strength, the courage, and the commitment it took for you to put yourself through therapy. Not only do you regularly attend, you regularly and actively practice your teachings. It’s been a beautiful thing and a true honor to watch you blossom from this shell of a woman, captive held by this small portion of your being to this whole, concrete, complete self. You are my inspiration every day for whenever I’m in a schlump. I love you. Even the darkest bits of yourself you still find hard to love. They will always be with you, but so will I.