To my loveliest friend,
Putting this into words is difficult, and you know how much I love words. However, words and writing make people and events immortal. It is in this effort that I showcase the beautiful person you are, and through time and space, our friendship will last forever.
You entered my life during a very tender period of time. My transition into my first year of college was heavily weighted by a breakup of a relationship of almost two years. Though we ended on fine terms, it was the lack of companionship and loss of identity that struck me. The person I used to consider an integral part of me was no longer present anymore. The light in my life was gone. I was devastated, alone, and lost. I experienced an anxiety and insecurity that still challenges me to this day. However, little did I know that by losing this person, I would gain the most precious friendship in you.
I remember the first day we met. You approached me after philosophy class and said, “Hey, I’m sorry if this is weird, but I was just staring at your hair and I was wondering what you do to it because it’s really pretty!” Like, what? It caught me off guard, considering I had no idea who you were, but I thought it was so sweet. And so marked the beginning of a wonderful, wonderful journey.
We bonded over the fact that I actually knew about the tiny little high school you went to, and the insanity that I actually knew people from your high school as well. We bonded over Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, “The Girl From Impanema,” Nina Simone, swing dancing, your movie obsession, your intense relationship with food, and my love for disco music and musical theater. You were much better at math, and for some reason I really loved philosophy. Slowly but surely we shared about our lives at home and the similar struggles we faced before meeting each other.
I had no idea why or how, but the most intense friendship was forming in the most natural and effortless way. I had never felt so comfortable with another girl before. Coming from having a boyfriend for an extended period of time, female companionship was present in my life, but not prominent. I suppose it’s because they weren’t quite the right fit for the role you now play.
Here I am, over a year after meeting you, reflecting on how you’ve affected me. Never did I think I’d find a friend who empowers me in every possible way. Whenever my pessimism gets a hold of me, it’s you and your strength that digs me out the dark hole I put myself in. It’s you who will let me cry about a silly boy, but makes it evident that I know their stupidity is completely unworthy of my tears. It’s you who I can sit in a car with, share complete silence, and never feel an ounce of discomfort. It’s our friendship that has replenished my strength, wisdom, and confidence as a young woman, and for that I am forever grateful.
I had no idea that by coming to LMU that I would find the best friend I had been yearning for my entire life. No one else in this world fills my heart quite like you do, and I am so appreciative of the person I have grown to become because of you.
I can safely say that you are the light of my life. Cheers to a lifelong friendship with you.
With all of my love, always,
Sabrina
