Dear Best Friend,

As the anniversary approached since you were taken much too soon, I could not help but reminisce on every memory I have ever had with you. I have come to realize that all the memories I have of you are so amazing. I would not trade these memories for the world, as they are the sole reason I smile from ear to ear when I hear your name.

I can’t even put into words how much you taught me in the years I was so lucky to know you. You have changed my outlook on how I live my life, and how I prioritize the people and experiences I love the most. You have taught me so many life lessons I will carry with me for the rest of my life, and I will never forget who taught me these things.

Sometimes I still don’t think it is real. You being gone still feels like a terrible dream I want to wake up from. I still think maybe you’ll come back, maybe it all was a dream. I don’t want to come to the realization that you aren’t coming home and that you are gone from my life forever. Only physically, of course. I can feel your spirit with me every day in everything I do.

That has proved to be the hardest thing I have had to overcome since you passed. Coming to terms that this isn’t a dream and this is how it will be for the rest of my life is the hardest thing about this process that hasn’t quite gotten any easier.

You live on in each and every one of the friends and family members you left behind one year ago. Not a day goes by that we don’t think of you and the impact it had on each and every one of us. I still talk to your mom, and I see you in her. I see you in each and every one of your best guy friends/brothers, and your girlfriends adored you and still do.

I really honestly just want to thank you because I never said it enough when you were here and I could. You taught me so much about life and how to live it to the fullest when you were with us. Even after you have passed, you have continued to teach me hundreds of life lessons. There are not many friends of mine I can say have taught me nearly as much as you have.

You have been my guardian angel, and my saving grace. I know that you are with me in whatever I decide to do in life, and I am always making sure that you’d be proud up there of what I’m doing down here.

There are times when this is all easier, and I can hear your name and smile and laugh, but there are times when just thinking about you makes me break down and cry. There really is no in between. I have come to realize that this makes me feel so incredibly lucky to have had someone in my life who meant so much to me that they could make me feel the feelings I do.

I hope we are making you proud down here. Every single person you touched down here is so honored to have known you, and no one could imagine their life without you in it. You’ll always be in my heart and in my life, and thank you for being one of the best friends I could ever ask for.

I love you so much,

Until I see you again,

One of your BFFs