Sometimes you meet someone, and it’s so clear that the two of you, on some level belong together. As lovers, or as friends, or as family, or as something entirely different. You just work, whether you understand one another or you’re in love or you’re partners in crime. You meet these people throughout your life, out of nowhere, under the strangest circumstances, and they help you feel alive. I don’t know if that makes me believe in coincidence, or fate, or sheer blind luck, but it definitely makes me believe in something.”

It’s weird to think about how six months ago I didn’t know you.

I remember seeing an article you wrote being shared on twitter, To My Boyfriend's Fraternity Brothers, and enjoying the article so much I found your page so I could read more. It was your articles that introduced me to Odyssey, and your words that gave me the push to apply to Odyssey myself. Soon after I started writing, you took over as Editor- In-Chief and sent out a message to all of us that you would be looking for a Co-Editor and I decided to once again apply, and you would accept my application for the position. But I had no idea what was in store. I didn’t know that the girl who just hired me as her Co-Editor was going to become my best friend.

Before I saw it happening, you became the person I told everything too. Whenever something happened throughout my day, I was telling you about it so you could laugh, cry or get angry with me. You became the person I trusted most, which terrified me since I have a really hard time letting people in, and yet somehow I just knew I would be safe when it came to you. In the few months we have known each other, you have watched me go through the worst moments of my entire life. So today, I am writing this letter as a thank you to you and to God who was clearly looking out for me when he sent you into my life and to try to put into words how lucky I am to have you in my life.

Thank you for showing up on my twitter.

I had no idea that the girl in that article would give me the courage to start writing myself. I have always loved to write but never thought it would ever be good enough to share with others. But now because of you, not only do I write and share my stories, but now I am also your Vice President, Co-Editor and right hand in our RSO.

Thank you for always being honest with me.

When I started getting nervous about my relationship falling apart months ago, you were always honest and genuine in what you said to me. You NEVER tried to sugar coat the situation or make me feel dumb for how I felt. You have always been honest even when you knew it might not be what I wanted to hear at the time.

Thank you for being there at any time of day.

Whenever I’ve struggled, had a bad day, or just needed someone, you have always been there. It has never mattered what time it was or what you were doing, you have always made sure to text me back or answer my phone call until you know I’m okay.

Thank you for being there the day he left.

I had my heart shattered into a million pieces and you were the first person I went too. You didn’t start off by telling me how sorry you were that we broke up, instead you instantly started telling me how we were going to get through this. It was never how I was going to get through this but how WE would. You and I. You made it clear that you were going to be there every step of the way and you have been.

Thank you for telling me I mattered.

When I was broken and devastated, I didn’t believe that I mattered. I mean how does one believe that they do matter or they are worth something when the person they thought they would spend their life with left them for someone else? But you took the time to give me 50+ reasons of why I was worth it. Why I mattered.

Thank you feeding me.

When he left, I didn’t eat for a week straight; I was literally on a pure liquid diet. But then one day you got me to get a fruit cup. I don’t like grapes and you knew he always ate them for me, so you made sure to eat every last one before also stealing one of my strawberries. Then later that day I received a screenshot that broke my heart and I didn’t eat for another week. But then you invited me to the boy’s house for a family dinner and you got me to eat a tortilla. Then the next day a slice of pizza. You slowly got me to start eating until the day we went to get your new phone and I woke up and was actually hungry. You cheered with me in the car because for once I would be eating because I was actually hungry and not because I had to eat or I would pass out. Now because of you, I am back to eating full meals every day.

Thank you for inviting me out.

The first time you invited me to a party with you guys, I almost bailed. Honestly, I had never been to a party before and I was still feeling the break up and didn’t think I wanted to be around people. But then I decided I was going to start saying yes to whatever plans you came up with and I went with you. That night was the first time I genuinely smiled and laughed in weeks. Since then, you make sure to invite on any adventure or night out you can. I get anxious and excited for whatever plans you might come up with next.

Thank you for ALWAYS having my back and standing up for me.

I don’t think I can ever put into words how thankful I am for this. Since the day we met, you have had my back at every turn. No matter what choices I make, you back me up and support me in whatever I decide. You do not ever judge me. And when my heart was repeatedly being broken and I couldn’t walk away, you were the one who took my phone and deleted him on every social media account. When he texted me the last time and broke my heart yet again, it was you who went to him, without me knowing, and told him he needed to leave so I could continue healing and getting better. You were the one that told him to no longer make any contact with me when you knew I would never be able to say it myself.

Thank you for picking up my pieces.

When I went through my break up, I was shattered into a million pieces because not only was I going through a breakup, but I was also losing my best friend I had grown up with. I would wake up every night and every morning in a full blown panic attack, where the only way I could calm down was with taking multiple anxiety pills. I cried all the time, and I was in a state of pure depression. I would have days where I felt I was healing before something would happen that would set me off again. But you were the one who physically picked me up off the floor when I collapsed and held me when I sobbed. You were the one who invited me to stay with you when I told you I couldn’t be alone. And when I hit rock bottom and told you I couldn’t do it anymore, you were the one who took care of me. You never once made me feel like less of a person for the ways I chose to cope with my heartbreak. You never once allowed me to believe life would be easier without me. And you never once allowed me to believe I was alone in this. It has been you who holds my hand and you every single day who has continued to help me heal and who makes sure I always know how loved I am.

And thank you for showing me how to live again.

Because of you, I don’t cry myself to sleep anymore. I don’t wake up not wanting to leave my bed. And I don’t dread leaving my house. Because of you, I have met more people and made more friends in these past few weeks than I did in my first three YEARS of college. I didn’t know how to not be someone’s girlfriend. I never took the time to go and be a 21-year-old college student who (sometimes) makes poor decisions while trying to find out who I am, but because of you, I am learning who I am, who I want to be and who I will become. Because of you, I can breathe again.

The truth is, I can go on and on about how thankful I am to have you in my life and it still won’t nearly express it enough. I don’t think I will ever find the words to explain it to you. But I truly believe God sent us to each other because he knew we needed each other. So on this day and every day, thank you for being my partner in crime, my supporter, my teammate, my soul sister and my very best friend. Thank you for believing in me every day and making me believe that there is someone out there who will love and adore me unconditionally the way I deserve. And thank you for coming into my life, promising to stay and meaning it.

I love you with every piece of my heart and cannot wait to go through life with you by my side.

Love,

Your Best Friend