My dear friend,

One of the most bittersweet aspects of life is that we never see ourselves outside of photographs or through reflective surfaces. We get one side of our physical and emotive story at a time which seems unfair to me because I get to experience you as you are -- as whole, complete, flawed and wonderful as you are.

I think back on the tough times that I thought would never end. You were always there without question. I never second guessed texting you to confess my self-doubts, or express my loneliness, or to spell out my fears as explicitly as I could because I know no matter what I do or say, my name would always be safe in your mouth.

I won’t deny that this world is full of special, talented and gorgeous people, but I have never met anyone quite like you. Your humor, your insight, the things you have been through, the way you always make time for me when I ask, even the things as superficial as how you look and what you wear -- they are so special to me because they are you. Our paths have crossed, since then intertwined, and I will never be the same for it.

I know it’s cliché but I wish you could see yourself the way that I see you. I wish you could understand how important you are, not only to me, but to this world. The world doesn’t need more people like you, it needs you, period. It needs your goofiness, your patience, the uniqueness that your life and perception has to offer. It needs your talents, your intelligence and the beauty that you deny having despite it being the most evident thing about you.

Sometimes you mistake your gentleness for fragility. Sometimes you confuse your strength and resilience with exhaustion and frustration. Sometimes this world doesn’t give you enough room to breathe so you can step back and realize how wonderful you’re handling everything.

I see it so clearly. I see you not only conquering this rough patch with the grace and resilience you’ve always lived by, but I see you years from now -- happy, loved, and looking back on today with a proud smile. I see you overcoming these false beliefs that you are anything less than capable and amazing. I see you only doubting the things that temporarily stand between you and what you want.

I love you so much for who you are, how you live, and who you have helped me become. It only gets better from here.

Love,

Your friend always