I am fortunate enough to still remain best friends with girls I met on the first weekend of college. It feels like I have lived 20 years since then, and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without them by my side. They have aided in my self-growth and self-love. My best friends have built me up, always been honest with me and have shown me love and respect every day since the day I met them. So I thought I would take this opportunity to write a love letter / thank you letter for all that you have brought into my life.

Dear best friends,

We’ve been through so much since freshman year. We separately traveled abroad, fell in love, went through heartbreak and struggles, but no matter where we were in the world, we always supported and loved each other.

I love my best friends from the bottom of my heart. Sometimes I burst out laughing alone thinking about funny things you’ve said or things that have happened to us. I can hear your laughs in my head when we are apart. I think of you when I see beautiful things or new places and wish you were with me. Sometimes I am lucky enough to have you by my side when seeing or doing something awesome, and I couldn’t be more grateful when we are able to be together for those kinds of things. I want to thank you for loving me and bringing so much joy to my life every day.

Thank you for sharing the same interests as me, such as eating delicious food, exploring cities, frolicking outside in nature and dancing all the time, whether it’s a club, bar, parking lot or alone in the kitchen. Thank you for having the wittiest, sickest senses of humor to ever grace this earth because you make me laugh so hard it keeps my abs in check and my life full. Thank you for sticking by me when I got too drunk freshman year or when I wasted energy dealing with dumb boys when you knew I was smarter than that. Thank you for always telling me the truth even if you know I don’t want to hear it. Thank you for always supporting me and encouraging me to be the best version of myself and trying new things. Thank you for being there for me when I needed to talk things out over and over. I can imagine that it gets old to hear, but it was so helpful and I appreciate it more than you know. Thank you for always having my back and showing me what true love and trust is amongst friends.

I am so happy you have come into my life. I will never take you for granted or hurt you. I will love you till the day I die and know for a fact that we will have so much fun until then. I know my kids will see you as family and can’t wait to experience all the chapters of life with you guys. Friendships are awesome because you never have to break up and long distance ain’t no thang. I value you and all that you bring to the table (especially when it’s food on an actual table). You are beautiful, you are kind, you are funny and everyone who knows you walks away happier to have gotten to spend time with you. I will protect you and cherish you forever. Now I’m just rambling because I’m getting emotional but I truly can’t say enough how much you mean to me. Excited for the future, grateful for the past and always happy in the present with you guys in my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you for everything.

Sincerely,

Cat