Best friends are a beautiful thing. Sometimes, you meet your best friend as a child and you grow up together. Sometimes, you don't meet them until later in life. Unfortunately, sometimes, you don't meet them at all. I consider myself blessed to have grown up with my best friend.

Dear Best Friend,

I'd like to start by saying no matter what I write here, words cannot begin to explain just how much you mean to me. So, I apologize for the understatements.

I can not thank God enough for putting you in my life. You have been right by my side since the first day we met and I could not be more thankful for that. From middle school to high-school to roommates in college, you have guided me through this crazy roller coaster called life. There has never been a bad day I had to face alone. You have been right by my side to help me with every struggle and to listen to every problem, even the ones I cried about for months. Thank you for literally being the person who I know I can call crying at 4 AM. Thank you for always being brutally honest with me and for always telling me what I need to hear, even if it's not what I want to hear. Thank you for teaching me to laugh at my mistakes and misfortunes instead of dwelling on them.

You truly inspire me to be a better person each and every day. You are absolutely selfless; you are constantly going out of your way for others even when they don't deserve it. And I know you don't believe me (or anyone) when they tell you this, but you are absolutely breathtaking. You are so beautiful, inside and out. You have a smile that could light a room. Anyone who doesn't think the way your eyes squint when you laugh is anything less than perfect is insane. The most beautiful thing about you, however, is your confidence. I know you often question yourself, but at the end of the day, your confidence radiates from within. You are so self-assured, you have never once looked to someone else to prove your worth. You say whatever is on your mind and stand up for everything and anything you believe in. I am so proud to call such a strong and ruthless woman my best friend.

With you, there has never been a moment I have felt unloved or unappreciated. I would rather have 1 diamond than 100 stones, and I can genuinely say you are my diamond. I wouldn't trade you for anything in the world. I don't know what I did to deserve you as my best friend, but I can genuinely say I am beyond thankful to have you in my life. Everyone deserves a best friend like you (but they can't have you specifically because you are mine).

I love you so very much. I hope you realize I will always be here for you. Not time, not distance, not anything, could make me love you any less than I do right now. You will forever be my backbone and my soul mate.