Dearest Shannon,

This upcoming summer will mark the three-year count since we became best friends/sisters. How crazy is that?! It feels as if almost a decade has passed since I stumbled upon your house one summer day while I was coincidentally walking my dog! Ironically, it sounds like a cliché romantic comedy plot but nevertheless, I’m glad I was lucky enough to have quite literally walked past Beacon Avenue.

I know Sandra always credits herself as the person who introduced us to one another, but I know deep down it was our love of Scandal and Gossip Girl that really brought us together. Quite frankly, I can’t imagine a world where our friendship does not exist.

Over these past years, you have truly shown me how important friendship is, and just how much it means to me.

You just get me. I know I always tell you this, but I have never actually met another person who thinks, speaks, and acts so much like I do. Much to John and Joe’s dismay.

You just know which VSCO filters go with a picture, the exact aesthetic that I want to channel, and how important it is to top off a picture with a good caption. You find the best food places on Long Island and somehow always manage to convince all of us to say yes to dinner. Even though we all know it’s a ploy to try to kill us with food. And if this weren’t all great enough, you also have the world’s #1 dog, who I just know is bound to live forever.

You do and say small things that go a long way to make my days just a little brighter, as cheesy as it sounds.

These are some of the things the things that make you a one-of-a-kind best friend, but I believe that your greatest quality thus far that I admire the most is your kindness. You are kind and accepting of everyone you come across, and treat everyone with the uttermost respect regardless of whether they do the same or not. You believe in empowerment and equality, and have basic human decency which not many do especially in this day and age.

I truly do look up to you.

You have been there for my ups and downs, my great days and ugly days, and through the most important years of my life. I know that while we have the rest of our lives to plan our matching weddings, and color coordinate our future homes, I just wanted to let you know how much you have impacted my life for the better. I know that no matter where we end up living, whether it’s countries away in Europe or blocks away on the Upper East Side, I know I can always count on you to be there for me.

So, thank you for being the best Chuck Bass loving best friend a girl could have, and here’s to the many years of friendship ahead.

Your Serena Van Der Woodsen,

Alejandra