There are some friendships that the word "friend" doesn't even describe. More like soul mate. More like "if I had to have someone spoon feed me for the rest of my life it would probably be you."
The kind of friends that will open their home when you're lacking one can't be contained to the term "friend." They can't just be introduced as your best friend. If it were socially acceptable, I'd introduce mine as "the person who will make me food when I'm crying and who will hit someone with a spatula if they come near me." It's a very rare and fortunate occurrence to have a friend from high school like this, especially after the first year of college.
The first year of college entails many new relationships, and many lost relationships. Few high school friendships last long after graduation, and it's only because of people getting involved in their new schools or jobs. Some relationships however withhold even stronger with the time apart. For those involved in military training or similar activities, coming home to the one or two friends they've kept up with is a breath of fresh air compared to what they've been doing. To be able to lay on the porch like old times and do the same old thing is might be almost necessary. Sometimes all you need is to laze around, re-live the old times, and make new times. We're all reaching new milestones in our life, and we'll celebrate all of them at one when we reunite next.
So, thank you. Thank you for reaching the parts of my hair I can't see when we both dye our hair the same color on quasi-accident. Thank you for being the shoulder that I need the most when I'm alone. Thanks for holding my hand when creepy guys stare at us in Wal-Mart at 2 a.m. Thank you for putting my anxieties to rest. Thank you for letting me grossly sob on your couch until I fall asleep. Thank you for writing me at school, and sneaking on Skype with me late at night while my roommates sleep. Thanks for listening to my rants, and reminding me of what I deserve when I've lost sight. Thank you for showing me music I probably wouldn't have looked.
And thank you for showing me what true friendship is. That it's not seeing each other every day, or texting all the time, but knowing no matter how far or long we are apart or go without talking, that there is always a hand to hold.