I can surely admit that I trust others way too easily. I allow people into my life who have no real intention of staying. We give them the title of “best”; whether that is a best friend, best boyfriend or honestly, anyone who you think will stand next to you through it all. In the end, they will disappoint you, hurt you or let you down in some familiar form that you have experienced before, but were too naïve to recognize. I have a whole new appreciation for those people who left after convincing me that they never would. You have made me aware of how extremely fortunate and thankful I am for those people who have never left my side. I know I don’t tell you enough, but it is extremely rare to find a person like you who is constantly there for me no matter the situation.

Thank you for giving me nothing but the best. Thank you for stitching my heart back together, leaving an opening for me in your busy schedule, providing me with the most perfect words of consolation and stopping everything just to be there for a friend in need. Throughout the good, the bad and the ugly, you were there when no one else would come to my rescue. Out of the many people that have come and gone, you have refused to leave. You have been my rock no matter the hopeless circumstance.

There is a genuine difference in staying because you feel like you have to and because you want to. Many people eased their way into my life just to disappoint me. But you and I, we’ve had our ups and downs, but you stayed. You stayed because you wanted to and that is the most important gift you could have ever given me. The fact that you love and care so much about me means the world. When I think about you, there is one saying that comes to mind. “Friends come and go, but family is forever.” You are family and our friendship is something so strong that will be forever tied.

If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. When I felt alone and as if I had no one, you came running to stand by me. When I cried for that undeserving person, you wiped my tears and helped me move on. You have always supported me which allowed me to embrace my fullest potential.

It is nearly impossible to try to imagine my life without you in it. And to be perfectly honest, I don’t ever want to see a day without you in my life. Looking back on the amazing memories, inside jokes, and years that have passed, I am beyond thankful that you stayed. You have taught me the value of what it really means to be there for someone.

But most importantly, thank you for accepting me and my crazy life. Thank you for never giving up on me even when I lost all hope.

No matter where life takes us, you will always be the friend who never left my side.