Dear Friends,

I miss you like crazy every single day. It’s hard to believe that we’ve gone so long without seeing each other, and it’s even crazier that FaceTime is the only way I’ll be able to see your faces while away at school. I remember being in high school, not even thinking about how we would be going in completely different directions after graduation. I didn't really think about the days that would come where we wouldn't always be five minutes down the road from each other. I never thought about the days to come where I wouldn't get to see your smile in person or even be in the same state as you. I just remember the dances we went to together, all of our sleepovers and hangouts, and the happy memories we made.

But all this distance has definitely made me think about the friendship we share. I’m so thankful for all the joy you’ve brought into my life. I’m grateful for the memories that have made such a lasting impact on me. But I’m also thankful for the distance.

Even though you all have a piece of my heart, I’m thankful for the distance between us. It's taught me so much more about life, about myself, and about the friendship we have. I’m thankful that we all can understand that our lives are going in a million different directions. I’m thankful that you all still believe in me and push me to be my best, states away. I’m thankful for the million texts (and the unlimited text plan) so we can stay in constant contact. I’m thankful for the impromptu FaceTimes and the handwritten letters. I’m thankful that distance didn’t break us. I’m thankful that we can still be us, 300+ miles apart, and still have such a strong bond.

I’ll admit, some days are harder than others. Some days, my heart will hurt over a boy or I'll get too stressed out balancing work and getting good grades. Some days, I am so envious of the people who get to see their best friends because they happened to choose the same university or the people who still get to see their best friends every other weekend because they're only a few hours away at the most. Some days, all I want is for us to be together again because I miss you so much. But you’re always a phone call away and always there for me, no matter the trials I face. You support me wholeheartedly and always make sure to remind me of how loved I am. I’m grateful for all of this. I'm so grateful I get to call you my best friends.

We may be apart right now, and we may not see each other for months at a time, but that doesn’t take away our memories or the love we have for one another. It makes me happy to see you guys working hard for your dreams and living the lives you were meant to live. I'm excited to see where your dreams take you and the people you are meant to become.

I pray every day for you and only want you to succeed. I want the best of everything to come your way and I want you to still create those happy college memories, even though I'm not there to share in it.

In high school, we were there for each other during every breakup, family issue, and bad day. In college, I’m thankful that I still have you guys as my main support system, because I don’t know what I would do without you all. I wouldn’t be half the person I am if we had never met. And I don’t even want to think about a life without any of you in it.

So again, thank you for everything. Thank you for every laugh and every time you all make fun of me for happy-crying whenever we do get to see each other (even though you should know by now that I can't control it)! Thank you for every hug, every FaceTime date, every phone call, constant texting, letter, and the time we are blessed with together. It makes me appreciate you and our friendship even more.

Thank you for proving that distance has nothing on forever friends. And I can’t wait to see what else life throws our way, because I know our friendship can take it.

You don't get to pick who you're related to, but if you could, I'd pick you all in a heartbeat, because you are family to me.

I love you all so much.

And missing you every minute.

Xoxo, B