I grew up in a typical household in America. No, not apple pie and family dinners at the table by 5pm. I grew up in a house where my father worked too damn hard, and my mother stitched together my family nightly in the hopes of keeping us together. I grew up remembering vividly the laughs of my mother and father that soon turned into snarls of anger. Safe to say by the time I was dating age, I had little to no hope that I was going to actually have that Hollywood thing where you date your best friend. That is until you came along.

I was once told that when you meet the one you know. No, I am not saying love at first sight. That would be too simplistic to describe our weird quirky relationship. No one really understands how we can be friends first before partners. My question is how can you be partners without being friends? There is no one else I would rather talk trash about the Cowboys, or eat injera with. You took time to understand me, and gave me a whole new view of what a relationship should be. I can say confidently, I can't imagine life without you, and it has nothing to do with me being helplessly in love with you. It's because you are my best friend.

You are there for my highs, and my lows. My good days, and the ugly ones (specifically BIO cell that was a very ugly time), and you accept me how I am not how society thinks I should be. You have watched Gossip Girl with me, and Greys Anatomy so you are best friend certified. And even though there is a weird thought that you shouldn't spend a significant time with your partner, I don't see it that way. I am not spending time with a partner I am spending time with my best friend.

I would like to state, just because you're my best friend does not in any way mean we are the definition of "perfect". We fight like cats and dogs. Sweet tea will always suck, and apple juice will always be better. You are stubborn beyond belief, and I have a natural tendency to NEED the last word. Somehow, that equates perfect for us and that's ok. You have encouraged me to show parts of myself to the world that may have always been hidden if it wasn't for you. I just want you to know you are my best friend before my boyfriend. And I hope that you too will see me as your friend before your girlfriend.