Alyssa and I went to the same high school for three years. We didn't officially meet until our senior year when our mutual friend Marissa made us eat lunch together. We had opposites friend groups in high school. She thought I was a stuck up, while I thought she was odd. The truth was that what we thought of each other was the opposite. Little did I know she would change my life forever that year. We became friends and soon I was blowing up her phone and alarmed at the fact that she only replied "Okay". Thinking I annoyed her until I learned she just really sucks at texting. Alyssa is very shy at first once you get to know her she lights up a room.

So here we are three years later and my best friend just turned 21. In those short three years, Alyssa has shown me more love, patience, and kindness than people I've known for 10 years. She's stood by my side when no one else would. Even though we've only been friends for a short time it truly feels like a life time. She probably knows how to handle me better than anyone else. She just knows things without me having to tell her, she can tell by how I'm acting. She knows when I'm anxious by just the look on my face. She knows that when I'm not hungry something is wrong. She also knows that when I'm drunk I turn the lights off in the bathroom so she has to go with me to ensure I don't hurt myself. I have so much to thank her for that I dedicated a whole article to her.

Thank you for being my doctor, when I'm panicking and googling symptoms of something minor to find out I'm dying. Thank you for letting my call you crying because I found out my mom had breast cancer. Thank you for remembering things about myself that I sometimes forget like the fact that I hate a lot of ice in my water, and that I love Elmhurst's M&M cookies (so you always buy me one). Thank you for showing me such unconditional love only a best friend can show. Thank you for letting me call you crying over a boy and reminding of what I deserve. Thank you for reminding me that I don't need anyone to make me happy that I'll be okay on my own, because it took me a while to realize that. Thank you for making it seem normal that I pick the cheese off my pizza when we meet someone new and they seem alarmed. Thank you for being there when I'm anxious for no reason and can't tell you why. The list can go on and on but these were just a few.

Anyone that knows Alyssa and I knows that we can be opposites. Alyssa is more of a homebody where as I love going out, Alyssa hates face timing but I somehow always con her into doing it once a month. Alyssa is more quiet where as I'll talk everyones ear off. The funny thing is that even though were opposites we balance each other out. I truly don't know how I went all these years without her and I am truly blessed to have someone like her in my life.

I just want to remind her that she deserves nothing but the best, and while we try to find who we are in this world I will always be here. I also hope that you know I'll probably be 50 and still calling you asking if I'm dying because I googled stuff. I hope one day I can repay you for everything you've done for me, since we all know how much of a handful I can be. I can't wait for us to have kids together and hope they become best friends. Heres to 30 more years of friendship.