There are no words I can say to describe how lucky I am to have been friends with you for more than 15 years. We have been through it all together. From preschool to the awkward middle school years with braces and frizzy hair - and now, college. It has been you and me for over 15 years, and I couldn't be more grateful.

I remember this day so clearly, though; it was the day you told me you were moving. I think we were in 7th grade, I cried and you cried. Was I actually going to be separated from the girl I hung out with every day of the week? Did that mean no more sleepovers? Was that the end of setting a place at for you at my family's dinner table? How was I supposed to go through high school without my best friend by my side? I was devastated, and I know you were too, but I knew moving was something that was beneficial for you.

It was really difficult adjusting to the situation. I remember talking on the phone with you and constantly sending a text just to make sure you were okay, and you did the same. We were only an hour away from each other, but knowing we wouldn't graduate from the same school or be able to go to each other's house in 10 minutes was heart breaking. I knew things were about to change. You were going to meet new friends. I was glad you were happy at your new school, but I was also so scared we would stop being friends because we weren't down the street from each other anymore.

As we grew up, our phone calls and texts became less frequent. However, if you have a life long best friend like mine, you should call yourself lucky. Regardless of how far apart we lived, the time of day or the town we lived in, we remained best friends. We found ways to work around the fact we did not live close anymore. The farther apart we were, the closer we grew. It's hard to always keep in touch with people who don't live close. For us, it didn't matter we had't talked in a week or a month or a few months; when we found the time to talk on the phone, it lasted for a long time. We picked up where we left off and it felt amazing.

So, I want to say to you, thank you for these last 15+ years because I would not have wanted to grow up with anyone else. We have been through heart breaks, tragedies and so much more. We have seen the good sides and bad sides of each other and our dramatic, stubborn, teenage selves. We have been supportive and encouraging toward one another, and I am so thankful I have you in my life.

Now being in college, it is even harder. We are 2,500 miles apart, but I still feel incredibly close to you. I know we can make it through these years together. Sooner or later, we will be reunited and I will get to see that beautiful, crazy self of yours I've missed so dearly. You are my life long, long-distance best friend, and I wouldn't want it any other way.