Hey there,

I just wanted to write to you today and let you know how important you are to me. You may be going through something difficult right now, or you may be having an incredible moment in your life. Either way, I really want you to understand the role you have in my life.

From the beginning you have always been there. It didn’t matter whether I was having a bad day or if I felt like I was having the best day of my life—you were there. It is so easy to feel alone and helpless during those tough trials, but getting to vent to you about anything means so much. You probably never realized it, but having you there next to me through it all made a world of difference. Even texting me just to see how I was doing turned a lot of dark days to ones that were a little brighter.

One of the greatest things that you’ve taught me during our friendship is the power we have to influence others. I didn’t quite understand it as much as I thought I did until I saw your example. Inside of you, you have a light that burns so incredibly bright. It’s a contagious glow that fills me with so much happiness when I am near it. This light not only fills me with joy, but it makes me want to do all that I can to keep that feeling with me long after you’re gone. This light you bring has impacted me so much that it has caused me to try to follow your example in hopes that I might help share it too. It causes me to strive to become a better person every day. I don’t know if you will ever understand how much your example continually influences me, but I can’t thank you enough for letting it shine in all that you do.

Now, you have to promise me that you won’t let that light die. It has the potential to change the world as it has changed me. I know that you have those days where you don’t feel that you are good enough or that you are confused about the right path to follow as you make important decisions. If there is one thing that you have taught me when I’ve found myself in similar circumstances, is that we just need to hold on for a little bit longer. Just take one more step. When you walk with faith, you will know what to do. I am there in every step that you take—during all of the stumbles and successes along the way.

I know that God puts people in our lives so that we can help others in our life-long journeys. You've been that for me a countless number of times. Never stop being the amazing and wonderful person you are. Continue to do the things you do and the world will continue to be a better place.

With much love XO