Dear high school best friend,

So I know we haven’t talked in a while, but I really just wanted to say, "Hello," and that I miss you. I saw a picture of you on my Instagram news feed the other day, and a flood of memories came back. You were my No. 1 girl, my right hand, my day one and everything in between. I have been thinking about when we first met, and thinking how effortless and instant our friendship really was. You don’t find that kind of friendship that we had in everyone and being older, I realize that now. I used to take our friendship for granted, and I thought you could find the connection we had with everyone, but I was wrong.

In high school, things were easy and simple, or so it seemed. Yes, there was stupid drama, and yes, I know we both dated the same guy — oops. But it was high school, and everyone was young and dumb. Looking back, you were such a huge part of my life, and I can’t begin to thank you enough for it because we have shared some of my favorite memories together. You were there when I tried my first sip of alcohol and didn’t make me feel bad when I thought it was gross, and I wondered how people actually drank that stuff. Ten seconds later, you forced me to try another sip, and I also thank you for that. You were there when I first snuck out of my house so we could go to a party down the street and then thought we were so cool because we were out past curfew. We were actually losers, but it was OK because we liked each other, and that’s all that mattered.

You stood by me and told me everything was going to be OK when the boy I liked didn’t like me back. Then you proceeded to call him stupid and that he didn’t know what he was missing because I was amazing. Thank you for that. You were there when I was fighting with my parents because they didn’t understand what I was going through; you always had the right thing to say. You were there whenever I needed you, and I will forever be grateful. You were also there when we thought it would be a good idea to go skinny dipping in your pool. Don’t worry, I still think it was a good idea. We have been through good and bad times and through it all you were still my best friend.

It makes me sad that we aren’t as close because our adult lives have grown us apart, but I know that if we hung out today it would be as if nothing has ever changed. You are truly one in a million. I just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you and that I will always be here for you. Even if we aren’t as close, and we are in different places in our lives, in the back of my mind you are always there. So just know that I still and always will love you.

xoxo,

Your high school best friend

Dedicated to Ashley. I love you and miss you. I will always be here for you whenever you need me.