To my hometown friends,

Maybe we shared our blocks and crayons all the way back in preschool, or maybe we were tablemates in the sixth grade. Either way, this letter is to thank you for being there no matter how close or far apart we are, because you definitely don’t hear it enough!

First, I want to thank you for making time to see me when I am home from school. I appreciate how we all try and make dinner plans or beach days before we leave again. Sometimes we end up arguing through text message over what to do, but that’s okay because distance obviously cannot change how we bicker like sisters!

When we are finally all together, thank you for being loud and laughing hard, whether we are sitting at the dinner table or piled into the backseat of someone’s car. It may seem chaotic, but it shows that we are excited to share EVERYTHING that has happened since we last saw each other, and I couldn’t be happier that we are still kept in the loop!

While we are at school, thank you for always being one text or phone call away. I know that I can talk to you about anything, no matter what time of day it is! Midnight calls, early morning texts—time means nothing when we just HAVE to tell each other something (even when it’s just a funny meme you want to share).

And finally, the most important thank-you goes to you for sticking by my side after all these years. You’ve been around long enough to see me both at my best and at my worst. You’ve been there through every accomplishment I have made, cheering me on. You have also been there for every heartbreak I have had, helping me pick up the broken pieces. With all these ups and downs, you decided that my friendship was worth it, and there is no amount of thank-yous I can say to express how much that means to me.

To my hometown friends—I love you like sisters, and I can’t wait to be reunited again!