To my best friend on her 19^th birthday,

It has been one interesting year. Looking back on the past 365 days, you and I have been through a lot. We have experienced many major milestones together, but this past year probably tops our past 11 years of “major milestones.”

You got into your first relationship. We cried about our breakups together in a mall parking lot for hours. You had the self-respect to cut off a toxic relationship. We lost a best friend that we thought would be in our lives forever, but ended up never really being a good friend in the first place. We got close to people we never thought we would get close to. We went to prom. We graduated high school. And we parted ways and went to different schools for the first time in 11 years.

Through all of the trials and tribulations of the past year, though, you have definitely grown up and figured out who you are. I’m so proud of the person you’ve become, and how strong and independent you are now that we are out of high school.

You have no idea how happy it makes me to see you doing so well in college.

I have never seen you as happy as you are now, and this happiness is long overdue. You’re with someone who really cares about you, you’ve made great friends at college, and you’re doing so well in your studies.

19 is going to a great year for you; I can already see it. I’m so proud of everything you’ve already accomplished, and I’m so proud to say that you’re my best friend. I can’t wait to see what other amazing things you will achieve, and I can’t wait to be by your side every step of the way.

I hope you had the most incredible day; you deserve it more than anyone else I know. Here’s to celebrating every birthday for the rest of our lives together. I love you, kiddo.

Love,

Your forever best friend