To the man who saw my potential in life:

I remember the end of my sophomore year, I was preparing to make my schedule for the upcoming year. One of the courses I was required to take happened to be Environmental Science. I heard rumors on how you were the best teacher to have. I never spoke to you prior but I thought, "Hey let me find out who this guy is." and I did. Originally I was put into another teachers class, but by some miracle I got switched into yours. And so our story begins.

You always had open arms for me to vent to you, no matter how big or small the situation. It became very easy to open up to you...easier than I would usually trust someone. You taught me that its ok to think out of the box, no matter how confusing or difficult it may be. You encouraged me to talk about topics that might not have been the most comfortable things to discuss. You took my weaknesses and showed me that they could be strengths. When no one believed in my you did every step of the way.

Having you as the first person I would go to for anything became such a natural thing for me. I looked forward to coming into school early to have our morning conversations. When I couldn't make it in the morning for those conversations, we could always make it up by having lunch together in your classroom.

You've helped me realize that I am so much stronger than I set myself out to be. You've taught me how not to put the blame on other people without looking at the full situation. You showed me that I am not strange or out of the ordinary. You've given me hope that one day I will be happy and content with myself. You taught me to fight for what I believe is right and to not let anyone hold me back from what I need. Because of you, I've realized that I am capable of so much more than I do already.

Because of you, I am comfortable in my own skin. I am happy to be me. You've brought out a better side of me that not most people have seen. You brought out a side of me that not even I knew existed. You've given me the motivation to become a better person for myself and others.

You've seen me with tears running down my face, with anger in my eyes , and even with huge smiles on my face from laughter. Even after seeing me at my worst, you still saw the best in me. You saw the beauty the was covered up by my demons that tried holding me back. You accepted me for me and accepted nothing but that.

I truly believe that you and I have become friends, and very good ones. Words can not explain how thankful I am for that. You've helped mold me to who I am today, and who I will continue to grow as. You pushed me and taught me things and lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. You were the push I needed to keep going, and to not give up.

Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for becoming one of the best friends I could ever make. Thank you for seeing potential in me and opening my eyes to see the same. I can only hope that I have made just as great of an impact on your life.