When I first entered middle school, I was terrified, to say the least. I knew all of the elementary schools would be combining, so part of me was scared I wouldn't make any friends. Another part of me thought that all of my friends would leave me for people from the other schools. But I knew I had to suck it up and deal with it, so I pulled on my fingerless (cringeworthy) gloves and my black, overworn hat and boarded the bus with the hope that it would be a great school year.

Long story short, I didn't make friends that easily. Back then, I was scared to talk to anyone who didn't already know who I was. I spent years making friends and gaining approval from the people I grew up with, so I didn't feel the need to do that with brand new people I didn't feel comfortable around anyway.

But it all changed one day in sixth grade reading when I noticed a book under someone's desk that I myself had read and thoroughly enjoyed. Then I noticed the girl sitting at that desk and realized I'd never talked to her, but I assumed that she had read that book and liked it too. None of my other friends had read it and knowing I could have someone to talk to about it made me feel like I could connect with her on a new basis. So I sucked up my pride and approached her after class and the rest is history.

So Hannah, my darling wife, I'm so happy that our paths crossed on that day. It's been six years and we're still going as strong as ever. Sure, there was a period of time where we drifted apart, but now that we're in our senior year, we know not to take each other for granted. I know that none of my other friends has really shown me as much love as you have, and for that, I thank you. Thank you for accepting me for who I am.

But one thing you don't know is truly how underappreciated you are. You may view yourself as an ordinary girl who shouldn't be treated like a princess, but you're so much more than that.

You're beautiful. From your gray eyes to your long and brown and curly hair, you look like something straight from a Disney movie. There may be days where you feel like you don't look great or you didn't try, but that doesn't make you any less gorgeous. Let's be real, you could wear a banana peel on your head and you'd still somehow find a way to make it work.

You're too kind for this world. I live for you smiling at me when my day has been rough and I live for walking into class every day knowing you'll be there to say I'm gorgeous. You're sweeter than any candy given out this Halloween and you're kinder than any person I've ever come across. You genuinely care about people and how they're doing and frankly, the world doesn't deserve you.

You're supportive of everything I do. When I got accepted to college, I'm pretty sure you were more excited than I was. When I fulfilled my dream, you talked about it more than I did. When I was going through a tough time for basically all of junior year, you made sure I knew you were there for me and were my confidant with everything. You made me feel like I wasn't alone.

You only want the best for others. Even if you're bitter toward someone who wronged you, you still want them to succeed in life, even if you won't admit it out loud. When I'm doing something that isn't going to benefit me in the long run, you make sure to tell me straight up and you make sure not to sugarcoat it, and I need that in my life.

You're considerate. You put other people before yourself and that's such a rare trait in teenagers these days. You're a diamond in the rough of this generation not just because you're a literal gem, but because you're so special and you don't even realize it.

You're you. In a world full of copies, you have no shame in being an original. You're unique and you shine so brightly that it draws people into you naturally. You're such a great human being and it's about time someone told you that.