Sometimes, we forget how valuable of a component friends are in our lives. We know that family comes first, and we often make significant others our priorities. And while there is absolutely nothing wrong with showing our love for family members and romantic partners, I think that we sometimes forget to appreciate our friends.

They are the ones who hold us together when we're feeling down. Sure, when I'm upset I make a phone call to my mom, because let's admit it, moms are always right. But after we get off the phone, who is right there with me? My best friends, who have dug the cookie dough out of the freezer, who have already finished drafting an inspirational speech to keep us going, who have probably been in the exact same positions we have, feeling whatever we're feeling, probably yesterday. Our friends are in the same place in life that we're in, and there's nothing like having someone who's going through all of the same things by our side, whether we're stressing over exams or difficult professors or relationships.

Friends are the unsung heroes of keeping us sane just by being weird, encouraging us to let our freak flags fly. Who else can we dance around the kitchen with, or talk in made-up accents and aggressively serenade Disney songs to? My roommates and I once made a four-square court in our kitchen and played several rounds before we got ready to go out. The orange tape is still stuck to the kitchen floor.

Friends are there when tragedy strikes, when the worst possible scenario happens, when the world feels like it's rushing in and swallowing us up. I am lucky to say I haven't lost many people close to me, but when there is a death or a tragedy, the overwhelming support that arises is an incredible force. We can rely on friends to hold us close, and take turns remembering the good times and mourning the recent heartbreak.

Friends make the usually boring things into fun adventures, whether it be long road trips, an excursion to the grocery store or simply a study session (wine is always welcome). I recently made the trek from Ithaca to Boston, and this mini vacation over fall break wouldn't have been fun without the bookends of the journey. My friend and I drove the five and a half hours to and from Ithaca, with Spotify playlists and throwback CDs from high school and talks about life in general.

Friends always find creative ways to procrastinate. We know when each other needs a break from writing a long paper or reading a book in a different language. These distractions consist of anything from making up rules for a debate drinking game to bombarding your group chat with memes about how no one understands what your major is actually about.

I couldn't have made it through college without my friends. Who would we do group Halloween costumes with? Who would we get breakfast hungover with? Who would we stay up binge-watching "Friends" with for the thousandth time?

So this is a love letter to my friends. A giant thank you, a big hug, a recognition of your amazing friendship abilities, and really how wonderful of human beings you all are. Thank you for feeding me veggie sticks on my bathroom floor, thank you for encouraging me to follow my dreams, thank you for having a couple of glasses of wine with me on a Tuesday because school is really kicking our asses. Thank you for the sleepovers, the vent sessions, the cute notes in my room wishing me a good day, the ability to read my face in a second. Thank you for knowing when I'm hangry and for braiding my hair. Thanks for tolerating me when I'm being difficult and for celebrating life with me, because our lives are crazy and busy and stressful and fun.

But they wouldn't be fun without each other. They wouldn't be as laughter-filled or as impulsive or creative. Without you, I wouldn't be inspired to write or be silly or pull everything out of our cupboards and bake whatever we have.

Basically, I love you.