Dear best friend,

I just want to say that after all of these years, thank you for having been such an important person in my life.

Thank you for taking me under your wing when I had first transferred to Flower Valley as I was the “new girl” and you were the first friend that I made in kindergarten. I can’t imagine what my life would be like if you had never entered it! I think it’s safe to say that growing up, we would do everything together. We’ve gone from playing house with our American Girl Dolls to sharing both Limited Too clothes and secrets to sharing red solo cups and even crushing on the same boys.

Thank you for being my competition. There are times I feel like we’ve competed with one another, over the silliest things of course. If I can remember correctly, it was always a competition between who had more UGG boots, or Juicy Couture tracksuits, or who could finish reading the book series "The Clique" first. It seems like we were always competing to be the Massie Block of our friend group. There are even times I’ve been jealous of you; like when you bought your first padded bra from Victoria’s Secret. I felt the need to go buy one too, even though my boobs were nonexistent.

Thank you for always being my backbone and shoulder to lean on. Since the day I met you, you’ve always had my back and stuck up for me in any situation I’ve been in or experienced. You’re willing to tell someone off, pick a fight for me, and you don’t care what other people think or have to say – and that’s what I love the most about you. You’re the definition of “ride or die.” Whenever I was upset, I knew you were always just a phone call away or bike ride or walk down the path — oh, the perks of having your best friend live down the street!

Thank you for the always welcoming me into your home. No, seriously, your house is literally like my second home. I’ve never felt more comfortable walking through someone’s front door, going straight to the kitchen into someone else’s pantry, and eating a Rice Krispy Treat or Goldfish than I do yours. Or going through your closet and taking your clothes. Or making myself comfortable in your bed and spending the night.

Thank you for the countless memories we share, whether they may be laughs or tears. It feels like just yesterday we were little girls planning you and Nicole’s "B’Not Mitzvah" and my sweet 16. Before we knew it we were planning our high school graduation parties. You’ve been with me through it all. Together we’ve survived the horrendous braces and glasses middle school years (well I was the one with the glasses) and now look at us, we’re hot college chicks! There are time’s that we’ve drifted apart, and times we chose to be friends with other people over one another but at the end of the day, despite the fact that we’re 696 miles apart, you’ll always be my best friend.

Thank you for everything, bestie.

Love always,

Your other half