Dear Forever Friend,

Our connection to one another has always been a constant in my life, ever since that day of senior year, when our zoology teacher introduced you as the transfer student from Florida. I didn't think anything of it when you walked past me and headed to the back of the classroom to take your seat (which was in fact behind me). Little did I know that my life was about to change for the better.

We started sitting together at lunch because we had mutual friends. You brought something to that lunch table that I had never encountered in my life. You would say things that made no sense to me, and then you would laugh at me when I didn't understand you.

Looking back on it, that's when I knew we had to be friends--the fact that we barely knew each other, and you had the capacity to laugh at me.

And so, that's how it all started.

You taught me what it was to love others well. You loved me so well that you completely shifted my perception of what friendship was. You showed me that kindness could be shown by simply just being there for others in the smallest yet most significant ways. You allowed me to know what it was like to open up and show others pieces of my soul. You cultivated and planted seeds in my heart that I would undoubtedly carry with me through the next phases of life.

Ever since those bittersweet last days of high school, we've managed to get through so much together. Distance and life events tested our friendship, and for a time, it hurt us. We lost communication and heartache was the result.

I didn't know if life was going to bring you back to me, but I prayed every day that it would. That day when we ran into each other months and months after losing communication, I didn't know what was in store for us.

When you showed me the kind of grace that can only be given from someone who is truly good, I was overjoyed. That was a turning point--the seeds you had planted years before in my heart were being nurtured by the same person that had laid them. It was the kind of sweetness that most people don't get to experience because you offered me the kind of forgiveness and understanding that everyone deserves.

A year and half later after that catch up coffee date, here we are. I've been fortunate enough to hear about how much you've accomplished, how you've fallen in love, how you've found your calling in life, and how you are currently chasing your dream.

My girl, look how much we've grown.

Our friendship has bloomed into a fully recognized blessing between the two of us.

It has taken us a lot of time, energy, and understanding to get back to where we are. But, my friend, I'd say the things we had to go through to get here was well worth it, because I have never felt closer to you or more loved by you.

You are still my number one supporter. The conversation and laughter you bring me blesses my life so much more than you'll ever know.

I truly treasure this friendship and can vouch that the second chance that was given to us was well spent.

Thank you for being in my life and for being that connection that I could come back to a second time around, with more appreciation and understanding than I've ever experienced.

You are the living proof of beauty and grace.

Love your friend,

Anna