To My Girlfriends In College,

I did not know how valuable you would be to me. I always knew I was missing out on something in high school. It was hard for me to find those girls that I personally could be really close too or feel really comfortable hanging out with outside of school. I decided it was just easier to have guy best friends; they were less stress and less drama, and there was less pressure to be perfect. To some extent that is still right. You are high maintenance and we butt heads and are too honest at times, but I would not trade you for anything.

You are a constant rock for me, a sister I never imagined. Before college I felt I had to carry all the weight of my problems alone. But now here you are, always there for me, offering your help and time when I need it. For the most part, I have felt that when I was crying I had to be alone, that I could not let others see me break, but I don't feel that way anymore. You help me find hope in myself when I feel broken because you love and support me in that brokenness. You also help me find confidence in myself. Finding confidence in myself personality-wise and looks-wise does not come easily for me. You show me that you want to be around me, tracking me down when I feel I have to hide away. You tell me I look good when I feel like crap and encourage me to strut my stuff and stop trying to hide myself.

You always tell me what you think — even when I don't want to hear it. You keep me accountable and I am better for it. I am incredibly stubborn, as I am sure you know, and, honestly, I am used to being used. You don’t give up on me though. You want what is best for me. I was always told growing up that a true friend wants what is best for you. Whether that is hanging out versus studying for a test or helping me get through a rough time, you genuinely want what is best for me.

College is a rough time, full of many ups and downs. I look back on this year and I wonder and really doubt if I could have made it through this year without you. You have meant so much to me, from lying on the floor talking endlessly about nothing, to pulling me out of my bad moods, to eating way too much junk food way too late at night, to late-night heart to hearts.

I did not expect you at all. I have always heard that in college you make friends for life and I always doubted that until I started living it. You are not perfect and neither am I, but you better my life by being in it and I hope I do the same for you.

I know this is a bit (or a lot) sappy, but I can’t express my thankfulness for you enough. I have finally found people outside my family who accept the whole range of me, where I feel that I can mess up in the relationship but that the friendship will still survive. And for someone as shy and concerned as me, that means the world. I am so thankful for your counsel, massages and encouragement, and our cooking, laughs, tears and study dates.

Love,

Me