Maybe it's because we are so similar.

You know, thats why we became best friends in almost an instant.

We both have a big heart and we let people into our lives too quickly and typically they leave us twice as fast but with you it was different.

You showed me you wanted to stay and I know damn well I proved it to you, that is why we are both still best friends right?

My best friend's name is Laurie but she loves to be called Lola.

We met how any other best friends meet these days: social media.

We went to the same high school for two years, walked the same halls and sat in the same classrooms but never knew who the other one was.

When she tweeted about wanting to go to a local pop punk concert, I replied back to her saying "gotchu."

A couple months later down the road, it was like we were inseparable.

Attached to my hip was this girl who had the exact same love for music I did. Every genre was influential to our lives and each band we listened to had saved ourselves from the demons inside.

She laughed at the same jokes I did and typically she laughed harder, thats how our friendship has always been and it's my favorite.

She showed me what it means to be a concert junkie. She is the reason I have met my favorite artists and the reason I camp out at 6AM for shows where the doors open at 6PM.

We share a mutual love for Olive Garden on nights when we just want to dress like we are attending homecoming, literally only so we can look good and hype each other up. Also for Taco Bell, it's the only food I'll eat after concerts now because it's what we always eat after getting fucked up at the barricade.

She lets me borrow her clothes knowing she won't get them back for weeks or maybe never (thanks for the flannel, Lola) and she travels with me places even though we both know we can't afford them. (Vegas and Cali, here we come!)

Lola is my best friend because she never gave up on me. Even when I was crying at 2AM or 2PM she was always there for me and I know I will always be there for her. She hugs me and tells me she's so happy for me when I feel on top of the world and I think I will never experience sadness again. Then the next night she is at my dorm with candy and headphones because she knows I just experienced the worst day of my life.

I can't explain to you the bond we have, the way we can finish each others thoughts or show each other a picture and know what the other is thinking. The way I can know exactly what she is thinking before she even speaks.

I can't explain to you the way I feel when I get so depressed but she tells me to go look in the mirror so I can see the matching tattoo I got with her for her 18th birthday to remind myself that she is always with me.

I can't explain to you the way I want to give her the entire world and crush any boy who drops her heart. I will never be able to thank her enough for everything she has ever done for me and for everything I know she will do for me.

High school was so hard until I found her. She made my life worth living and she showed me that true happiness doesn't need to be found in some lame ass boy. It can be found when you and your best friend are driving to El Paso, Texas at 4AM listening to Twenty One Pilots.

Thank you Laurie for the laughs, tears, smiles, heartaches and heartbreaks. For every moment in Tino, driving around blasting our favorite tunes. For every concert that we went to together and every concert we spent endless hours talking about. Thank you for the Dutch runs and the pedicure dates. Thank you for being someone I could never live without.

I wouldn't want anyone else by my side till I die. I never deserved you but oh god I am so happy I can call you my best friend.

Sincerely,

Shan