It is uncharacteristic of me to make public some of the more intimate relationships I'm involved in, whether it be with a friend or with a boyfriend. I began thinking lately what I'm really grateful for and I have quite an extensive list, but there are people in my lives that I owe a lot to.

In the case of my best friend, she has been a pillar of support for me in times when I could not even rely on my own family. This is an open letter to my best friend and my best headache, because I know that it's high-time I let it be known how amazing she is.

Dear Bestie,

We've always done well in expressing how much we appreciate one another's input in our lives and how it really does help, but I don't think either of us has actually sat down to talk about how impactful our friendship is to each other.

To put it simply: thank you.

Thank you for being there for me when I could not figure out how to tell my religious family that I was gay.

Thank you for putting up with my relationship drama once my ex and I broke up and I had to figure out how to manage my first ever break-up.

Thanks for staying on the phone with me for hours while not talking about anything remotely important but just enjoying each other's company.

Thank you for your brutal honesty and input, because it isn't the kind that's meant to criticize me or put me down but genuinely benefit me.

Thank you for being my sister.

I have no siblings remotely close to my age, but yet somehow you are like a sister to me.

My number one supporter and number one critique, but both appreciated. In many ways, as I have personally told you, you are more of a family than my own. They never understood me personally and never could comprehend my sexuality as being something other than choice.

You've known me at my worst and at my best. You know when I'm sad and not myself, and I appreciate that because it seems you're the only one of few to really notice it. Thank you for letting me know that a chosen family can be just as important as your birth family.

Thank you for never letting me go even though I really wanted to.

Arguments and petty fights have seemingly unaffected our friendship. I can't imagine a life where you and I didn't meet, because I'm not sure I'd be the person I am today without you.

Thank you for being you.

Thank you for the sarcasm that can only be matched by me.

Thank you for constantly being so close to me that people mistake us as actual family or as a couple.

Thank you for matching me so perfectly with humor that it seems that other people are third wheels to a friendship, not even a relationship.

Thank you so much. I can go through so many hurdles and tribulations in my life, but it is all because of the support of my closest and dearest friends, yourself included.

I know I am strong because of you.

Thank you for existing. Thank you for coming into my life.

Thank you.