To my best friends,

you have been there for me through thick and thin. We have smiled, sobbed, and hysterical giggled through all of our days. You have been by side since the day day we met.

To Francesca, we have been best friends since we were two. Though I don’t actually remember the first time we met, I’m sure it rocked. Like going to brunch Michelle Obama level of rock.

She and I have experienced life together. We’ve grown up together, learning about ourselves and each other in the process. I’ve watched her do amazing things, she mastered the violin, gotten perfect grades, and mature into the most amazing and beautiful young women whom I am proud to call my friend. Together we have forged through the complications of youth. She has helped me sort through heartbreak, cute outfits, and the enigma that is my sexuality. Together we has built a kickass set, wrote corny music, worn matching hannah montana pjs, and all around aced the halloween game. Our days together are filled with adventures in the woods and archery mishaps. Hanging out with her brings a sense of mystery.

I never know exactly what we are going to do but I know I’ll wind up laughing so hard I snort, which will prompt her to mock my pig like laughter and cause the laughter to go on for another five minutes. Francesca has been my best friend since I was two, and I can’t wait to see where we got from here.

To Ryan, we met during a very rowdy and silly walk on the fourth day of school last year. He was quiet and pensive, and I was… Not. I babbled on and about ludicrously perverse things while the boy with us spewed spit onto the pavement like a rusty hose. I think I only saw Ryan smile twice on that walk, both small and uncertain, like he was relearning the action. After that we talked everyday, small things at first. We’d talk stupid things, mostly just topics centered around me trying to him laugh. But after a while I stopped try, he just smiled. Now we smile constantly. Throughout our friendship we have both gone through tough emotional times but we have both fought on, supported by each other and unafraid of the future. We have both come so far from last September and I am so proud of how we both have grown both as a pair and as individuals.

Both of these people have been hugely influential on my life. They have taught me how to be myself even when lost in a crowd. They have taught me how to be silly and spontaneous while being grounded in reality.

Friends come and go, but having two best friends I can always count on is amazing.

Best Friends teach you to be grateful for the deeper connections in life, the conversations that happen seamlessly, the ease of never having to hide how you feel.

So from the bottom of my heart, to my best friends, thank you for so much for being awesome.

And to everyone else, be sure to give your besties a hug!