"Hey, can I vent to you about something?"
"Fire away, babe."
That was our first text conversation. At the time I didn't see it as a big deal. I figured we would talk for a few days and then the fire would die. We would never speak in depth again, except for the occasional back-and-forth banter on Twitter.
I was 100% wrong and you have led me down a rabbit hole of excitement, fun and appreciation of the few things in life that I have to be thankful for. One of the biggest blessings in my life has been you. If I had to list everything you have done for me, this letter would become a novel. However, I have compiled a short list that will hopefully give you a glimpse of why I need you and how you truly do put the "best" in best friend.
You never put me down, even when we fight.
We have had our fair share of fights, but we never attack each other. We discuss the situation without belittling what the other is feeling. Even if you don't agree with everything I do, you have never made me feel worse. Coming from someone who has been hurt more than I can count, that means the world to me.
You are always honest with me.
If my haircut doesn't look as good as it did last time, you tell me in the nicest of ways. I would rather that than someone who lied to me and cut me up in private. You don't sugarcoat anything, and I know when I talk with you, I am getting the whole dollar and not only two cents.
When something is wrong, you discuss it in detail with me.
If I have gone through one annoying thing throughout my many "friends," it's that whenever I bring up something that is bothering me, that person would put the bare minimum into talking it through with me and then the topic switches to them. With you, I don't get any, "Aww that sucks," or sad faces. You dissect every little bit with me and you do not stop until I am sick of talking about it. By the time I finish talking something over with you, I feel like a hot air balloon that slowly sinks to the ground into a field of daisies.
You put me first.
You honestly care about my well-being. To everyone else, I have always felt like I was running a big race against other friends, sprinting and giving my all, while failing next to more important people in their life. I would always lose. With you, it's like you're holding my hand, and we're crossing the finish line together.
We get annoyed at the same things.
If I didn't have you, I would be angry by myself all the time and that isn't fun. The same things piss us off and I feel you're the fire extinguisher to my flame.
You support me in everything I do.
You cheer me on in every aspect of my life. When I post an article that I wrote, you are the first to share. When I try to quit bad habits in my life, you are one of my biggest motivators. When I post a rare good selfie on Instagram, the first heart-eye emojis that I see in the comments is from you. I know that with anything I accomplish in this life, you aren't supporting me because it benefits you. You do it because it is making me happy. You are so selfless and good-hearted and I cherish you.
You have been with me through nearly everything.
After we became close, you have never left my side. Through the boyfriends, the tears and the struggles I go through with my mental illnesses, you never leave me when it gets dark. You hold up a lamp that lets me stand on wobbly knees and find my way through. You are the first person I turn to when things are bleak, and you remind me that I have survived all of my bad days and this is just one more.
You are not only my best friend, but my sister.
We do everything sisters do. I borrow your clothes and swear to give them back, while cackling evilly, adding another addition to my closet. We call each other idiots and argue over stupid things such as whether cubed or melted cheese is better. We trade secrets (even stupid ones). You know things about me that no one else knows, and I am sure they will be taken to the grave. We would defend each other to the death and I never feel like I'm fighting any battle alone. You are always on my team.
To tie everything up, I truly felt alone and misunderstood in this world until I met you. I don't hate myself when we're together. You always pick me up and make me truly like who I see in the mirror. I feel like someone or something up there saw how much I needed an angel and sent me you as my best friend. The best one I've ever had. Until we're walking with canes, here's to you love. Thanks for being you. I love you.
