Friends.

A lifeline, an adopted family, a getaway, a safe space... There are a million and one ways in which I could describe the role my friends have played in my life. However, I don't believe anything could ever quite hit it on the head the way I want it to. My friends will never be able to truly understand the extent of my appreciation for them because it's impossible for me to explain. The best I can do is to show them in both small and large ways.

I've been lucky enough to keep most of the same friends from my childhood and pick up some amazing new ones along the way. Whether we met in fourth grade or during my freshman year of college, I can say without a doubt that everyone I call a close friend is someone I strive to keep around. They want to see me do well, they check in with me, they do cute things... and I do my best to return the favor.

Everyone brings something a little different to the friend dynamic. Some of my friends are more outspoken, some not. Some like to party, some don't. That's the beauty of friendship. We balance each other out and accept one another for our flaws and our best qualities. Being aware of differences and making sure no one ever feels uncomfortable for being different than someone else is one part of what makes a bond between friends so strong.

I may not call enough or show my appreciation in the way I want to, but I want my friends to know that I care. I want them to know that there's nothing I wouldn't do for them to see them happy. If they want to call me at two o'clock in the morning to talk about why the sky is blue, I'm perfectly okay with that. If they want to sit in silence after a long day, that's fine too. I just want it to be known that I love them more than anything in the world. Every day, I realize how lucky I am to have them in my life.

With all that being said, I just want to thank everyone I call my friend. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and for treating me like family. Thank you for keeping me sane and bringing out the best in me. Thank you for those unbelievably wild nights and those nights spent on the couch binge watching movies. Thank you for not judging my weekend eating habits (or for partaking in those habits with me). Thank you for sticking by my side, even when things get tough or weird. Thank you for making me laugh and accepting my tears when watching cute videos of monkeys. Thank you for confiding in me and allowing me to confide in you. Thank you for being apart of memories I'll never forget.

Thank you for being you.