"What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies." -Aristotle

First off, I just want to say thank you!

Thank you for all of the nights I can barely remember, for all of the times you supported me (even when we both knew you shouldn’t have) and for sticking around when things got tough. Throughout our many years of friendship we have had our ups and downs-- we have drifted apart, but we always came back to each other.

There was never a time I don’t remember you being around. No matter what happened, whether we were 8 or 18, I knew I could count on you. From boy problems to needing homework help or just needing to vent, I always knew where to find you. I also knew that, no matter what, I could count on you to tell me the truth, even if it hurt.

I know I don’t say it much, but I am forever grateful for you. You’re the only one who sees my crazy and embraces it. You’re the only one who can joke with my family like you’re a part of it because, when it comes down to it, you are part of it.

As I look back on my hectic life, the one thing that sticks out is you. You have literally been there through it all-- from watching me cry over boys (who in the end didn’t even matter), to cheering me on when I actually made it to class on time. Not only have you been there through it all-- you’ve done it all right by my side with a smile on your face.

We’ve done everything from riding a 175- foot amusement park ride to getting matching tattoos. No matter the circumstance, you are there, either with the smile of approval or the look of dissatisfaction.

You’re the one who taught me to never settle. Never settle for boys who aren’t worth my time, never settle for being ordinary and, most importantly, never settle for the minimum. I believe that you are the reason I am so okay with being single. Countless times you have told me that, whatever boy I was convinced was going to be my new boyfriend, was not good enough for me and you would again remind me to never settle.

I also believe that because I have you, I have someone who will always care about me. I have someone who will never give up on me, is there when I need a reality check and will help me with any task.

I believe that without you, I would not be the person I am today. You keep me grounded, yet you never dismiss my ideas that are in the clouds. You may not dismiss my craziness, but you definitely do not hesitate to laugh at it. You may be the first one telling me that I shouldn’t do something, but you’re always right there next to me when I decide to do it anyway.

Thank you for not only being my best friend, but for being my sister.