Very few people in this world have the pleasure of meeting someone you will consider a best friend or a soul mate. When I met you, I knew I was one of the lucky ones. We were only kids, but I knew that I had met someone really special. No matter what or who got in the way, we always had each other to lean on, and that never changed. Here we are seven years later, and I still love you just as much as I did then.

We hit bumps, especially in high school. I want to thank you for always being by my side no matter what, and being such a big part of my life. I hope everyone has the chance to meet someone as special as you someday. Someone they can turn to, someone they can text at any time of night. Someone that will go to any extent to make sure you are happy. We have some of the best memories together, memories I will never forget. Playing video games at your mom's house, bringing you snacks in the middle of class, going to concerts, and even you getting me blow up toys from the circus.

Your quirky sense of humor is one of my favorite things in the world. I know that no matter the seriousness of the situation, I can count on you to crack a joke. The day you told me you were enlisting in the Army, I was hoping it was just another joke. When I think of the Army, I picture what I see in movies. I see sadness, I see hurt, and most of all, I see danger. I could not imagine you in that situation. I just could not get myself to imagine my tall, stalky best friend out there far from home defending his country. I was not okay with it, but I knew I had to be.

I remember the day you left. I was working, and I went on my break to see a text from you thanking me for being there, and how much you will miss me. I had tried to block out the idea of you leaving for the entire summer, but in that moment, I knew I couldn't block it out anymore. Writing letters was our only way of communicating for a while, and it was awful knowing I would not get the fast response that I usually get from you. I saved all your letters, and I love looking back on them.

I am so proud of you. You are truly one in a million, and you will do amazing things one day. I am honored to be such a big part in your life. Although you're far away, home is always here waiting for you. I miss you to the ends of the Earth, but I have to be okay with that. Thank you for doing everything you do.