Dear Childhood Best Friend (you know who you are),

It has been a really long time since I have seen you, and I really, really miss you. We have talked to each other here and there since graduation, but so often our busy lives just keep us both, well, busy, and I tend to get caught up in the chaos instead of being a little more organized to meet up with you more than once or twice a year. To be honest, you are the kind of friend that I not only want but need to see more than that.

You are the friend that accompanies my best memories growing up. Whether it be a day at the pool, getting into some crazy business on your family's farm or calling each other after school to talk on the phone, you always made my days better. I remember we used to laugh for hours about seemingly nothing, and we would always find a way to sneak your mom's island bars or cookies, which I could really go for right now. You threw me my first and only surprise birthday party, our families went on vacations together, we celebrated New Year's together and we always went to the Friday night football games together.

As we got into high school and started sports, you were always my warm-up partner. You were my bus-buddy, and after games you were my dinner date. We took pictures together for our dances, talked about where we would go to college and, most importantly, we continued to make life-long memories together.

Even when life got a little harder than our blissful moments on the lake or at the beach, you were always right by my side, and I cannot thank you enough for that. When my family and I lost our house in a fire in the dead of winter, you were the first to open your home to us. Later on when my PaPou passed away, you were one of the first people to take time and reach out to my family, even though you were plenty busy on your own. You even took time to send a message when our beloved family dog passed away.

You and your family have always gone above and beyond to make me feel like I am a part of your family, and we have made the most incredible memories to go along with it. If it weren't for everything, from the simple days playing in the corn and riding a tandem bike to the hard days, I wouldn't be who I am. You, best friend, have absolutely shaped me into who I am in more ways than I can name, and you are the friend that will be there until the end. It doesn't matter if we only talk on our birthdays or see each other a couple times a year; you will always hold a place in my life and in my heart that is just for you. It is a space I did not know was empty until you filled it, and it is a space that shall never be empty again.

To my oldest and truest best friend, I will always be here for you, and I will never be far away. I will always go out of my way for you, and you will never owe me anything in return. You will always be Bonnie, and I will always be Clyde. I love and miss you tremendously, but I know I will see you again soon.

Love,

Your Childhood Best Friend

The best is yet to come.