From the time we were carefree children, through our gawky and awkward junior high stage, and all the way to being the overconfident high schoolers, you have been a part of my life.

Going to college inevitably separates people, something I especially noticed when I traveled out of state to attend school. I have created new flourishing friendships, but I will never forget you: my best friends from the start.

I miss you more than you know. I miss leaving the high school auditorium from basketball games together, going on hour long drives, jamming in the car to music without any cares in the world. I miss our sleepovers, when we would stay up eating junk and laughing until 3 a.m. (when staying up that late was actually fun). I miss skipping class (sorry, mom) to go on an adventure. I miss sharing a tub of ice cream when it was absolutely necessary to dull the heartache of a dumb teenage boy.

I miss sharing my excitement and frustrations of everyday life with you guys.

It has been excruciatingly hard to go from seeing your smiling faces every day to only seeing them every a few times a year. I miss our inside jokes, Denny’s runs, and friendship more than you know. There have been so many memories and moments I have experienced at school that made me stop and think “I wish they were here to experience this with me.”

You will always be a part of who I am, and I carry you in my heart, always. So many things remind me of you in my collegiate life, including when I hear a certain song playing, when I am dancing the night away, and when I am crying over our favorite chick flick. You are with me more than you know. I still have days where I just really miss you, and even the hour-long FaceTime calls can’t help that.

I may have new people and new obligations in my life that receive the bulk of my attention, but I will never overlook you or how you’ve impacted me.

Our friendship is one that I will always be infatuated with. I am always showing you off to my collegiate friends, and gushing over your successes and lives, miles and miles away from mine.

Coming to college was the hardest thing I've done, because it meant that I had to leave you. We are all starting on different paths of life, and I can’t wait until our paths realign again.

It has been so incredible to see that no distance or time apart can ever separate us or diminish the bond we once had. I know that the friendship we have will last a lifetime. Every time we reunite, it is as if we never left.

You have seen me at my worst, been right by my side at my best, and have hugged me whether I was triumphant or unsuccessful. This bond of ours has survived multiple family issues, divorces, sickness, financial issues, and heartbreaks. If not for you and your support both at home and thousands of miles away, I am not sure how I would have survived.

I love you, and I am so happy that our friendship will last forever, no matter the time or distance.