Throughout our lives, people come and go—some friendships last a lifetime while others fade out as time passes. Some of these friends have moved to a college far away. Some are preoccupied with a significant other. Some change their passions and interests. But regardless of how many friends we have in our lives or how many cycles of friendships we have gone through, there is one thing that we are always searching for: someone we can call a “best friend.”

Just like all circumstances in life, it takes two lonely hearts to find each other. A random, but coincidental event brings them together and gives birth to an indescribable friendship. It’s an instant connection that makes your heart feel warm. It comes with surprises when you find out you both have so many similarities like eating the same kinds of food, going to the same kinds of places and events, listening to the same types of music and laughing at the same things so hard your stomachs hurt.

Finding a new best friend isn’t always easy, but you walked into my life at just the right time. I honestly don’t know what I did without you for so long. It’s insane to think that six months ago I didn’t even know you, and now I can’t go two hours without texting you my latest life update. And the best part is, you actually want to hear it. So I want to say, thank you.

Thank you for being there for the ups and downs. My life is an emotional roller coaster, so thanks for coming along for the ride.

Thank you for never judging my ugly Snapchats. I know you only screenshot them so you can go back and laugh at them later, not so you can post them and embarrass me on social media.

Thank you for always liking and commenting on my Instagram pics. #biggestfan

Thank you for always being down to go out and have a good time, but also knowing when we need to stay in for wine, pizza and the latest gossip.

Thank you for tagging me in the funniest things on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram. Like seriously, I don’t even know where you find that stuff.

Thank you for tackling the boy world with me. The male species is definitely an interesting one, but luckily you get that. You let me cry over f*ckboys for about five seconds and then remind me how much better I can do anyways. You know my worth and won’t let me settle for anyone but the best.

Thank you for giving me a second closet. When you have a best friend the same size as you, your wardrobe suddenly doubles. I don’t know what I would do on the weekends if I didn’t have your great taste in fashion to choose from.

Thank you for always being down to pig out with me. If pizza-eating were an Olympic event, we would no doubt take the gold.

Thank you for taking endless amounts of pictures with me. Only you can understand why I need five different poses—with flash.

Thank you for your ability to keep me laughing until my stomach hurts. Your sense of humor is brilliant, and your laughter is contagious.

Most importantly, thank you for being you. You’re one in a million. And no matter where life takes us, I promise I will be cheering you on from wherever I am. It’s not too often we find someone who fits into our life so perfectly. We finish each other’s sentences, have goofy nicknames for each other and can pretty much read each other’s minds. I’m so grateful to have found you, and I couldn’t imagine calling anyone else my best friend.