I admire you.

You have been through more hardships in twenty-one years than most people will go through in an entire lifetime. I honestly don’t know how you still manage to be the fun loving person we all know. You didn’t grow up when you turned eighteen and were able to vote. Or even when you were finally legal to buy alcohol. You became an adult at the age of thirteen. You matured at an age when most kids were worried about a ride home from school or their fractions they still couldn’t understand. But not you. School came easy. It was life that was hard. Just know, I admire you.

I think that in life we’re all dealt a rough hand every now and then. These bad hands come at different points in our life. You were hit at a young age with a king/five in black jack. That’s the toughest hand to play. And you did it. You made it through the rough patch. Every now and then you get a few bad cards, but because you now know how to play them, you’re always going to be okay.

Just know, you don’t have to be strong all the time. It’s okay to let your guard down and cry. You have shown me that life goes on and you have to keep moving with it. We cannot dwindle in the past over things we cannot change. We have to keep going forward. You have been able to keep moving forward with such grace. You’re a hard worker. An amazing student. A passionate human. And you’re a loyal friend. You go through life treating people exactly how you would want to be treated. You tell them how it is, because in the end, you’ve been through worse. Honesty is something people lack now-a-days, but not you. You say exactly what you’re thinking and you don’t beat around the bush. The world needs more honest people like you.

I admire your ability to love and feel so strong for people. When you love, you go all in. There is no option to half-ass it because you know how precious life is. You know why loving someone with your entire heart is so important. You see your friends mistreated and you know that life is too short to see them in pain. You want them to understand how valuable life is. Why waste time feeling broken when you’re here. Your intensity to guide people and listen to their problems is honorable. It takes a true friend to always be open to listen. You do that. You’re who people go to when they want to vent. They know you’ll be straight forward with them. You say what they are too afraid to admit. But now it’s your turn. You deserve someone to just listen to you. Give you advice and hang on to every word.

Your soulmate is out there. They could be in the version of a friend or a significant other, but they’re out there. Maybe you just haven’t met them yet. Or taken the time to realize they’re there. Regardless, someone is going to enter your life and you will then realize why it never worked with anyone else. You deserve that. You deserve a love that sweeps you off your feet. That person that fills your heart and makes any broken feelings disappear. They will fill any void you have. You deserve that.

You’re a friend and a role model to many. You are the life of every party. And you constantly give. I’m telling you now is the time to be selfish. Time to stop giving and start taking. It’s time to do something for yourself. Travel the world, follow your dreams, and do not let anything hold you back. You are loved. Never doubt that. I can’t wait to see all that is yet to come in your future. Set high goals, because I know that you will achieve them. Thank you for being you. I’m here. I will always be here for you. Whether we’re side by side or thousands of miles away, I’m not going anywhere.