Growing up, I always watched the movies where the girl has a gay best friend who takes her shopping, does her makeup, and gossips about boys with her. During the first week of college, I met this person. This wonderful, amazing, crazy person who did all of those things with me, but also so much more than I could ever imagine.
Dear Cookie,
Words cannot describe how much I love you. You are the strongest, smartest, most beautiful person I have ever met. Your perseverance through everything you've experienced in the past is awe-inspiring and I wish I could be half as brave as you are. You've endured more as an 18-year-old than most people have in their entire life, and I admire you for that.
Thank you for being you and not regretting a thing. Thank you for showing me there are more important things than people's perceptions of perfection. Thank you for not being normal and for teaching me that nothing is more important than being your own individual person. Thank you for ALWAYS being here for me and making me smile when I need it most. Thank you for the girl's nights out. Thank you for setting the standards high for me and helping me realize what true friends should be like. And, most of all, thank you for loving me unconditionally.
I want you to know you're special, but you really already know that! Every time we go out, girls want to dance with you and get to know you. They love how great of a dancer you are and how you always have a smile on your face. They love how you don't have a care in the world. You just want to have fun. They want you as their friend. If they can realize how special you are with just a glance, imagine how special I think you are. Your personality just lights up a room, and everything that once seemed dark and depressing is suddenly forgotten. Someday, a man out there will fall uncontrollably in love with you and he will know it too. That man will be the luckiest man alive.
I will never be able to convey to you how grateful I am for all that you've done for me. You've helped me become more confident with myself and who I am. You've helped me realize that I am just important as anyone else and I deserve a man with whom I share the same values.
So, Cookie, you are loved. You are important. You are the most beautiful person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I look forward to getting to know you better and letting our friendship grow. I'm excited for the billions of GNOs, pizza nights, and Cheesecake Factory trips we'll have in the future. I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else.
I love you so much,
Nina
