While I always knew how important friends are and how blessed I am to have the ones that I do, it took getting out of a five-year relationship to fully understand and appreciate how irreplaceable and incredible my friends are. My current group of friends is my family. They are my sisters from other misters and my brothers from other mothers. When you get into a relationship, it’s easy to put all your focus on your current boyfriend or girlfriend and subconsciously place your friends on the back burner. Suddenly, you prioritize this romantic interest over the true friendships you’ve had for years. True friends are forever, while romantic interests come and go. Friendships shouldn’t weaken due to one another’s relationships. Your current boyfriend or girlfriend may be your friend or even best friend too. It’s not the same type of carefree friendship that you have with your other friends though. After separating from my five-year boyfriend, I had the time and the desire to reconnect with the friends who have always been there for me, in a new way. I agree with Hubert H. Humphrey when he says, “The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it.” To the friends who have undoubtedly become my second family, I genuinely thank you for everything. I have been blessed with the most perfect individuals to surround myself with and go through this journey of life with.

We are definitely a wildly diverse group of young adults: an aspiring doctor, a marine, teachers, golfers, Disney interns, lifeguards, chemistry majors, adventure addicts, dancers, partiers and homebodies; but, if there’s one thing we have in common it’s the unconditional love and support we all have for one another. I’ve yet to witness another group of people with so much authentic care for everyone.

No matter what mid-life crisis I may currently be going through or whatever awful mistake or questionable life decisions I make, I can count on you guys to never judge me and to be there for me when I need it most. You provide me with an ear to talk off and you care enough to provide me with your most logical advice. You allow me to be my complete and unfiltered self around you. You accept me for who I am; a respect given to everyone with love.

The constant support I receive from every single one of you is not something I take for granted. To have a team of people behind you that will be there for you during your best times and celebrate with you your greatest achievements, while also remaining there for you during your worst times and comforting your broken self is priceless. We support each other in any way that we can and back each other up in all our decisions even if we may not necessarily agree with them. When the going gets tough, we always have each other to turn to for any and every thing.

Along with the amazing support, zero judgment, sound advice and an open ear, I appreciate the openness we have with each other. There’s nothing that’s too uncomfortable or forbidden to discuss. We can talk about anything we may feel like without having to water down any topic.

In a group of friends this big, the jokes, smiles and laughter never cease. We’re undoubtedly the wildest bunch of people I know and I thank you a million times for the immeasurable amount of happiness you’ve given me and all the times I've laughed so hard I felt like throwing up. Whether it’s witty comments here and there, the high levels of sarcasm between us, stories of our awful weekend decisions or too-open conversations, you all keep my cheeks sore from the consistent smiles and laughter.

What I love and appreciate the most about my family of friends is the unconditional love we have within our group. Some people may have one “best” friend. I have about 15. You all hold such a special place in my heart and I love each of you endlessly. Many of my best memories and life experiences have been with you lovely people. I cannot thank each and every one of you enough for the true friendship you’ve all shared with me.

You’ve taught me what a true friend is and how to be a true friend. You’ve taught me to be completely comfortable with myself in the presence of other people. You’ve taught me the importance of being nonjudgmental and how critical it is to support and be there for the ones you love. You’ve taught me and allowed me to practice unconditional love, in a way that’s different than what any romantic relationship could. Thank you for it all.