To the friend who never gave up on me,

Dear friend, I miss you. It is apparent that distance tends to strain friendships and/or relationships, but ours have beat the statistics and I am thankful for your support though you are so far away. I have always thought that my relationship with significant others would last longer than our friendships. Though, to be blunt, I am glad our friendship has beat the odds.

I imagined friendships ending as soon as high school ended. With you being a year above me, I was used to the idea of parting ways. All I can think about is when you took me under your wing. When you were there through the toughest moments--which in high school it felt as if there was one after the other. I never realized the impact you had on my life. I never realized how much you have made me become a stronger individual.

From the petty arguments to the intense tears, I could not want anyone else to have experienced the worst moments of my life with me. Though you are at a different college, and we may not see each other as much as we would like, your presence is very much alive.

I always thought relationships would change an individual. But as the boys come and go, I have realized again and again that you are the boy that I do not want to lose. Looking back, I hated being told I was wrong. That I had to be stronger. That I had to move on from certain situations that did not deserve my attention. I wish I would have understood how much care you put into me. And how much pain you initially felt as I sat there stressed about a situation. I never understood how my best interest was always in your mind.

You made me into a stronger person. You believed in me when I did not believe in myself. You made me realize how to put the past in the past, and to move forward. I cannot say the same about many people in my life. So I just wanted to take the time to tell you thanks because your actions do not go unnoticed. Of all the changes in my life, I am immensely gracious that you have not changed. You are miles away from me, yes, but the love I have for you has never diminished.

So yes, I may have added people in my life, but you are one that I never want to remove. From the laughs, the tears, and the “over the top” arguments, I am glad that we have gone through it all. Thank you for keeping me humble, for keeping me sane, and for allowing me to be myself. I hope that I have done the same for you. Though we may not be minutes apart from each other, I know that our friendship is one that I want to keep close to my heart.

Words can never explain how thankful I am for you, friend. But I am so very gracious to have you.