Everyone has a person- someone they go to for everything under the moon. Whether it be advice on an outfit, a crush, or simply a shoulder to lean on, your “person” is always there for you. The best part? She leaves judgment locked away never to surface. She truly is something special and you feel beyond grateful for having her in your life. And one of the best parts of your friendship is all of the important lessons you learned from her.

Here are 12 things that my best friend taught me:

1. It’s OKAY to cry:

You’re not showing weakness or being overly emotional (unless this is a daily occurrence). Tears are the result of a multitude of emotions and this is nothing to be ashamed of. She taught me that allowing myself to experience my emotions is what makes me who I am. It is what makes us human. Something that separates us so distinctly from other populations should not be seen as a disadvantage or shameful experience. You will spend hours of your life fighting to hold back your tears, so don’t hide them from your best friend.

2. Judgment is for the weak.

If there is one thing I love most about my best friend it’s her complete ignorance towards judgment. She listens and shows no signs of disapproval. My secrets are safe from scrutiny when shared with her. Sure maybe she won’t help me cover up a crime, but I know that she will be there to listen to my side of the story with nothing but an open mind.

3. You are important.

After I met my best friend, this was never a question in my mind. Whether we were together or not she never let me feel like I wasn’t important. It is impossible not to feel loved when I’m around her. She makes me feel like the most important person in the world, because she knows how badly the alternative stings.

4. Always be thankful.

She’s the kind of person who tells everyone she loves them before hanging up the phone. She never leaves off on bad terms with people and makes sure that the people around her always know that she cares about them. All it takes is a second of reflection on our friendship to remind myself how thankful I should be for having her in my life.

5. Never be afraid to admit you’re wrong.

We are imperfect; it’s human nature. It is also human nature to deny this fact to our last dying breath. She taught me that I will screw up and there is nothing I can do about this. But I can do something about how I handle my failure. She taught me that accepting failure when it comes my way is the only way I will learn and grow as a person.

6. Honesty really is the best policy.

She doesn’t lie about stupid things and she definitely doesn’t lie about the big things. When asked, she will say that she doesn’t see the need; lying is pointless. She taught me that lies are only temporary and that with time the truth will come out eventually. Having such an open friendship with someone proves how honesty can change a relationship completely for the better. It is impossible to be close with someone when your world is built upon lies and exaggerations.

7. Forgiveness.

I’ve always been one to hold grudges. But until I met my best friend I didn’t realize how horrible this is was myself. She handled every tragedy that came her way with such grace, never giving in to her anger. She proved to me that standing tall with a smile on my face and letting go of the negativity is the only way to heal myself. It is important to focus on what is happening right now, not the mistakes you or the people around you have made. Whether it is a failed exam, a broken heart, or a bad day at work I know that she will always be there to make sure that I forgive myself.

8. You’re never alone.

No matter how dark the world may seem or how terrified I might feel, she is always there. Even if she’s not physically there beside me, I know that she is always just a phone call away. Whether it’s a rough day, a walk to the grocery store, or suffering through laundry-day I can always count on her to be by my side. The time doesn’t matter; whether it’s 4am or 12pm, I know she will always pick up.

9. How to laugh for hours.

Everyone knows the laughs I’m talking about. The giggles spill out and, if you’re like me, so do some tears. You’re gasping for breath but you feel more alive than ever. Your cheeks flush red and people may think you’re crazy, but this only makes you laugh even harder.

10. How to trust.

One of the best parts of a friendship is the unwavering trust. For me, it took minutes before I realized how trustworthy she was. Within days of meeting her I found myself sharing details of my life I hadn’t shared with friends of 5 years. She never laughed at me or made me feel uncomfortable; I knew that I could trust her with anything on my mind. She helped to teach me that it is okay to trust the people around me and it is okay to be vulnerable.

11. Be yourself.

I never feel uncomfortable being who I actually am around her. She ensures that I am true to myself and embrace what I might find embarrassing. I never feel the need to hide who I am or lie about my interests. I don’t feel the need to create a facade to gain her approval. She won’t let me fake it; she won’t let me be anyone but who I actually am. Her love for my real self, despite my struggles, is what taught me to love my real self.

12. Friendsgiving is a must.

What better way to celebrate a friendship than by spending an annual day of thankfulness together. As you’re passing ridiculously large servings of food down the table, you will realize how lucky you are to have them as a best friend. And when you go around the table to say what you’re grateful for, her name pops into your head right away.

While she might not be perfect, your best friend has taught you important lessons about life that none of your professors ever could. You two share a special bond and you learn more about yourself from your experiences with them. Never forget how lucky you are to have this person in your life and never let them forget it either.