Dear Best Friend,

You know me better than anyone else. So it goes without saying that you know how much I hate showing my emotions. You know that I would rather say some stupid joke or make a sarcastic comment than say "I love you," or even a simple "Thank you." So, this is me trying to explain how much you mean to me, even though no words will ever do you justice.

First things first, thank you for being my best friend. You are one of the few who completely understand my weirdness and embrace my quirks as if they were your own. You know how much I love smiling, laughing, and just acting like a complete idiot. You don't judge me for this. Instead, you do whatever you can to bring out my weird self, and you don't leave my side when I make a fool of myself in public. You're right there, usually encouraging my odd behavior and/or getting it on video to post on my birthday.

Thank you for loving the same things as me. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have a best friend who didn't understand my love for all things New England sports, music, and animals, among many others. Thank you for watching countless hours of ESPN with me. And "Say Yes to the Dress." And "Grey's Anatomy."

Thank you for learning what I love. You know how much I love just driving downtown, or anywhere, singing at the top of my lungs. Thank you not only for joining me, but for learning the lyrics to all of my favorite songs so that we can jam together. Thank you for going to random country concerts and dragging me to a few others. Thank you for learning some country songs, even if it was only so you could witness me rapping.

Thank you for being my fellow shopaholic. Even though this may get us in trouble sometimes, if there is one thing I have learned as a shopaholic, it is that you can NEVER shop alone. Thank you for talking me out of most of my questionable purchases, but also for talking me into others. What would I do without all of those $5 movies from Walmart?

Thank you for listening to my complaints. You and I both know, I hate people. Despite always smiling, I can usually find something to complain about, and you'll be right there with me. You know what and who bother me the most, and these things and people usually annoy you too.

Thank you for hanging out with me no matter what. Thank you for voluntarily spending time with me, even when my parents tell me I don't look presentable enough to leave the house. And not judging me. Thank you for understanding that everyone needs a night with only sweats, Ben and Jerry's, random dancing, and too many Disney movies to watch.

Thank you for making me look adequate. For those rare nights when it is not appropriate to wear sweatpants, thank you for telling me what I can and cannot wear. Thank you for putting on my makeup, since I am clearly incapable of doing so, and reminding me to take it off when I get home. Thank you for all of the fashion advice, even when we're over 300 miles away.

Thank you for always having an open door. Not only can I talk to you whenever I want, but it also means I can walk into your house whenever and take your food. (I owe you ice cream, by the way.) Thank you for walking into my home whenever you feel like it. It saves me from making the walk from the couch to the door, and it truly makes you feel like part of the family. You get along with my family, sometimes better than me. You come to family parties and vacations, and when you aren't there, my relatives ask about you anyway.

Thank you for being the Meredith Grey to my Cristina Yang. You are my person, and I will always love you.

Sincerely,

Your Best Friend