Living in a small town made up of families that have been friends for generations is probably one of the most difficult places to be. especially when you are a 13 year old girl who moved from across town (which might as well be across the universe).

My parents moved my me and my two brothers to a small town when I was 13 years old. I was transitioning to a new high school and fitting in was the hardest thing to do. I spent most of my high school years floating between different groups of friends that I had things in common with. The hardest part about this was never actually being "the best friend". I found that in each transition of people I was always the friend of two or three girls who were already best friends. You know the, "best friends since diapers" friends.

It wasn't until I was 22 years old that I met a girl who actually turned out to be "my best friend". She became the person in my life that I thought I had lost the chance of meeting. I thought I had reached the point in life where I was going to have just friends. Boy... was I more than wrong. We didn't have to grow up together to create this undying, forever forgiving, truly accepting, and always there connection.

My best friend is the friend that God knew I needed- she showed up in my life as if he made her for I for each other, but forgot to put together. She is the "doesn't text you back for 3 days or doesn't answer your call best friend", but also you know it's not because she secretly hates you. She is the "hang up before it even gets to voicemail" because you know that by the third ring she is going to have to call you back kinda of best friend. She is the "make plans with you and and never cancel" best friend.

She is the best friend that you don't have to invite to everything (even though you do) because she knows it wasn't personal. She is.... you. She supports every decision you make- good or bad and she cheers you on or cheers you up. Shes the friend you can tell anything to and not worry about others finding out or her judging you- Hell, she's probably going to tell you about how she's done something worse... Or even better she was there supporting the decision. Shes the "get drunk every weekend and then spend the next day hungover laughing about all the stupid things you said and did" (like getting kicked out of a cookie shop and trying to fork her front yard- or waking up her neighbor at 5 am and then slipping an I'm sorry letter under the door the next morning).

She's the "riding in car, drunk Saturday night, grabs your hand tells you 'I love you' " best friend. Because she does, she loves you, she loves you so much. Shes the best friend that you can't tell other friends about because they wont understand how 4/5 years of friendship has created a bond between you two stronger than any other. Because the length of friendship does not define the quality of friendship you have.

Shes also the best friend that you can neglect because you "fell in love with a boy" and shes still there after the break up because she knows that being a best friend doesn't mean you get to choose when you are one.

My best friend, the one that loves me so much, is moving in 6 weeks and this is what I want her to know;

I love you. Its okay if you find another best friend- I HOPE AND PRAY you do. I want you to find someone that is 5 minutes away so when this new guy breaks your heart you wont be alone. It's okay to be too busy to call or text me every day, I might be too- just know that when you do I'll be here. Know that every plan we have made between now and forever are the things I look forward to the most.

Most of all best friend, know that no matter how many miles we have between us I will always love you the most. Even if my photos are flooded with a "new best friend", it's not the same. you are always going to be THE BEST FRIEND. I've never understood what it mean to truly have someone to love you unconditionally (aside from family) until I met you. Thanks for always being down for anything and never holding that anything against me.