Looking back, before I met you guys, I was not happy. At the time, I didn’t realize this. I was content on staying in and reading because there was nothing better for me to do. I didn’t go out on Friday nights or weekends for that matter. I never thought things would change, but then junior year came along and, I’m not saying this lightly, totally changed my life.

I’m not sure if you both know how much you guys mean to me or how much happiness both of you have brought to my life. Without either of you, I would never have been able to find myself, and I thank you each eternally for that. I was dragged out of my comfort zone and never looked back. Going to group parties? Becoming more outgoing? Smiling more? Yeah, that would never have happened without either of you. I never knew it was possible to belly laugh so hard that I needed to pee and cry at the same time or that Brownie Brittle is probably the best snack on Earth.

My confidence and self-esteem improved because I became comfortable with what defined me as a person. I never felt that I needed to compromise my values to “be cool” around you guys because that is ridiculous to us. Other people made me feel like I wasn't good enough for them or that I was too careful/uptight to do anything. Neither of you ever made me feel like that. Being who we are is better than attempting to fit in with people who could care less. Trying to be people we are not is definitely not our style.

Knowing that I'm accepted no matter what I say or do is a great feeling. Even when I’m beating a dead horse, and you’re both sick of hearing it, neither of you complain. I never imagined anyone laughing at my clumsiness/idiocy or putting up with my anxiety, most people would have walked away, but you guys stayed.

You both were there for me in the worst of times. When I was inconsolable for days, and couldn’t stop crying, you guys swooped in to help reassure that I had people around to support me. When you both repeatedly told me to be careful, and I didn’t listen, you guys helped me pick up the pieces of my stupid broken heart. I will miss not having either of you around to help me or know exactly who or what I’m talking about, but luckily we are only a text away. Hopefully you guys can learn from my mistakes. I took the fall so that neither of you will ever have to.

Now, as we are counting down to college, we are also counting down the days we have left together... before we no longer live fifteen minutes from each other. I won’t be able to hop in my car and drive to your houses. We’ll need to FaceTime. I won’t be able to see each of your friendly faces in classes. Instead, we’ll be in a sea of strangers. I won’t be able to complain about homework or people because everything is about to change.

The people who meet you are blessed. They don’t know it yet, but if they are smart enough to stick around, they will have the most genuine, caring friends they could have ever asked for. Not only do you guys respect others, but you both also respect yourselves, which will attract the right kinds of friends. On one hand, I’m so excited for the both of you to start building your amazing futures, but on the other hand, I wish I could take you guys with me, but that’s not how college works.

I truly do believe that we meet people for a reason. You both showed me what it means to have a beautiful soul and what true friends really are. I can’t imagine life without either of you… I really can’t. But time cannot be stopped and life happens whether we want it to or not. Great things are ahead for all of us, and I’m sure that no matter how far apart we may be, those great things include all of us.