Growing up with a best friend is something that cannot be replaced. I grew up in a somewhat small town in Maryland and met my best friend in 9th grade when we went to the same high school. Fate brought us together when we both decided to be cheerleaders for our high school team. Since then, we were inseparable, until I moved to North Carolina.

She got me through high school. We met every morning in the parking lot, because that's what the cool kids did, and we walked to class together. She let me shop in her closet (since my mom refused to buy me Hollister clothes because of all the holes), and we shared our houses and families with each other. We went on vacations together and hung out whenever we could. She helped me get through breakups, and helped me realize why they weren't good for me anyway.

We've gotten sloppy drunk together, and slept on bathroom floors. We've learned tough life lessons with each other, and helped each other through them. We've laughed and cried and laughed some more and she is my person. Moving to North Carolina separated us by a significant number of miles and hours, but it has not changed our friendship.

The best part of her being my best friend is that we always pick up where we left off when we finally get to see each other again. Its as if nothing changed and we hadn't been apart for a year. And we never have to try at our friendship. We are just friends, and that's that. She doesn't get mad if I don't text her or can't make it back to Maryland for a weekend. I don't get upset with her if she can't get off work to come visit. We do what we can, when we can, and that is what I most value in her.

I know she will always be there for me, even if its just over the phone. If I need her, she will make time for me. We have gone of separate paths in our lives, but we still make time for each other whenever we can. We may be apart geographically, but we are always together in heart.

We talk about the dumb things we've done, but are glad we did them together. We have showed each other what true friends are. We have shown each other what its like to be there for someone unconditionally.

My best friend is my best friend and I can't imagine where I would be in this world if I did not meet her in those awkward high school years. We will stand by each other on our wedding days, and our future kids will have play dates together. Though we are apart now, we will be back together as soon as we can.

Thank you for being my person.