I’ve always watched people come in and out of my life, I accepted it. You cannot go through your life expecting everyone to stay. I was always taught that everything that happens to you happens for a reason — maybe the ones who slipped through my fingers had a reason to leave. That’s just what I kept telling myself. The ones who stayed, though, kept me trudging through this life- carrying me every step of the way. So, here’s to you, the ones who stayed:

There’s a million reasons why you could’ve left, sometimes I’m emotionally unstable and I use and abuse you to maintain the happiness you give me, but you stayed and you accepted the fact that sometimes I needed you more than you needed me.

Thank you for teaching me that it’s ok to be weak sometimes, sometimes the weakest of people appear the strongest.

You’ve been there when I doubted myself, when I thought that I was incapable. You not only showed me what I am able to do, but you showed me how to do it. You’re the strongest person I know and you help me see the confidence in myself as I see in you.

Thank you for wishing the best for me, and always pushing me to be the best.

I tend to bottle emotions up, and let them explode all over you — blaming you for the consistent negativity in my life. You always took the blame, you always accepted my sorry excuse for an apology — you always let me vent when I needed to. You buckle yourself in for my crazy emotional roller coaster, I call “life”- and I couldn’t be more thankful of that.

Thank you for letting me be myself, even if it’s not the best version.

Most of all, thank you for staying: the ones who stay leave the biggest impact on your life. They will help shape you into the person you are this very day. They will push you to become the best version of yourself. That is the true beauty of friendship.

Thank you.