My best friend is the most important person in my life. She is stable in a way that a parent can't be. She is understanding in a way that a spouse wishes they could be. She has my back no matter what and is on my side when I didn't even know that I needed it. Whether your best friend is lifelong or someone you met recently and clicked with you know that they are irreplaceable. For obvious reasons we are protective of our person. They deserve the best and we know that they will always give the best back. These are the rules for loving my best friend.

1. She is a dreamer. Don't you dare diminish this.

If you stand in the way of her dreams you can't love her. I know the ambitions she has, I have watched them shape her into the person she is since we were three years old and I could not stand to watch these dreams die. Support her, encourage her and make her dreams your dreams as well.

2. Know when she needs to be cuddled.

There is a particular art to knowing when my best friend needs to be cuddled and when she needs her space. Spoiler alert: she needs a lot of cuddling. Don't deprive her of this, and when she has had a bad day you better be there to hold her.

3. Remind her why she is beautiful.

Not just on the outside, but on the inside as well. The qualities this girl possesses are like none other you will find. Do not forget to tell her all the reasons she is so special to you and everyone around her.

4. Bring coffee.

Just always bring coffee, okay?

5. Be understanding.

My best friend is the most understanding person I know. She will always forgive you, just like she always forgave me. Give her this same courtesy and don't be quick to snap when she is having a hard time.

6. Encourage her in her faith.

This is simple. Somedays there will be problems that cuddling and coffee wont fix and you need to be the person who helps her direct her attention back to God.

7. Be a part of her family.

Believe me, they are the most fantastic people I know and they will accept you as one of their own just as they did with me.

8. Push her to be better.

I don't actually think it is possible for her to be more perfect than she is, but the best relationships push each other to be better. When she has her frustrated days, push her to overcome with positivity. When she has her lazy days, convince her to go to the gym (I promise she will thank you later.) When she has a bad encounter with friends, push her to be the bigger person.

9. Remember I have her back, and yours.

As her best friend I not only am there to support her but to support you and the relationship you share with each other. Treat her well and I will be your cheerleader.

10. Take her on adventures.

Help her experience things she has never experienced before. Give her the thrill of trying a new food, or the adrenaline rush of doing something daring. Open her eyes to the beauty of the world and new things she never knew she needed in her life.

11. Love her unconditionally.

There are some people who just deserve the best. My best friend is one of them. Love her through her flaws. Love her during the sunny mood times and the cloudy mood times, even the thunder and lightening mood times. Be a person she can count on.