To my Best Friend,

For the majority of my life, I never truly had someone to call my “best friend”. In elementary school I had a lot of acquaintances and mostly traveled in circles based on parent arranged play dates and default sports team hang outs. Middle school was an absolute blur of awkward friendships made while fist pumping at “parties” and mutual infatuations with Facebook and Farmville.

By the time high school approached I found myself surrounded by people, yet feeling completely alone. I never imagined that five years later, I would be screaming myself hoarse at a sellout Big 10 college football game, with the girl in the silver sequin headband (so tragic) at freshman volleyball camp.

It’s absolutely crazy how one simple day can change your life forever. That day of camp wound up doing exactly that. I was introduced to one of the only people who truly understands me better than I do. The good, the bad, and the ugly, we’ve been through it all. I’ll admit she drives me crazy sometimes, but I’ll never be able to thank her enough for being the one who keeps me sane.

Thank you for being the first and sometimes only person I want to talk to, and for still listening even though it’s the same thing you’ve already heard me rant about a million times. Thank you for taking basic pictures with me every time we go out, and for not posting the absolutely terrible ones. Thank you for the nights we spend stuffing our faces and blasting throw backs we still know every word to. Thank you for knowing exactly what I’m thinking with just one look and for usually saying it out loud. Thank you for always apologizing even though you’re never wrong.

Through friendships that crumbled as we grew up, thank you for staying by my side. I know we’re in it for the long haul. Thank you for our random dance parties and only occasionally making fun of how awful I actually am. Thank you for being the most selfless person I have ever met. There is never a time you are not thinking of others and putting yourself second. Thank you for telling me that I can, especially when I'm the one saying I can't.

Thank you for showing me what it means to be a true friend. There will never be any combination of words to explain how blessed I am to have you. But I simply have to say thank you for being my partner in crime, my person, my future maid of honor, and the sister I never had. Most importantly, thank you for being my forever best friend.

XOXO,

I love you always.