Sometimes, life can pile up on you. Life continually changes, as do our feelings and who we are. Where life gets the most taxing to me is when I feel like I am misunderstood by everyone I know. I am faced with problems or situations, internally and externally, paired with thoughts and feelings I make out of these situations that don’t match up to anyone else's. Life starts to feel alone, as if I am the only one who will ever understand me. But then, that’s where you come in.

You are my friend who just gets me.

What does it mean to just “get” someone? I can tell you what it doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean you just tell me what I want to hear. It doesn’t mean you run to save the day and try to piece together brokenness. It doesn’t mean you shove a bunch of bull down my throat in desperation to relieve me of anything. It means you tell me what I need to hear, even if I’m not going to like it. You give me new perspectives, ones I knew I needed but couldn’t piece together without you. I don’t tell you I’m hurt and you instantly try to console me or “fix me.” You practice the art of listening, and you are willing to go through anything with me so I don’t feel alone. You don’t give me a stereotypical line, “it’ll be okay.” You know I know that. What you tell me is what pieces together the confusion I feel. You let me know that there is someone who understands me, feels as I do, and is willing to be there for me through it all.

I can never thank you enough for that.

I could have an army of people behind me, but it would not matter if I was surrounded by people who still made me feel as if I was all alone. You give me unwavering faith that we were not meant to go through life alone, but joined together. Joined together by mutual understanding, something deeper beyond the superficial pleasures that life brings. Having you as a part of this journey through life is having the security of knowing these truths. One of you is worth a million others, and I never want you to doubt the joy and love you bring into my life. You show me that two people from different worlds, with different lives can come together and connect on a level that surpasses all else. You show me that soulmates can be best friends, too.

For every laugh we have shared. For every random adventure. For every life talk. For everything I couldn’t keep inside anymore and had to let out. For every late night call saying, “I need you.” For every way you’ve challenged me to be a better person. For every time you have consoled my tears and rejoiced with me in laughter, thank you. Thank you for being who you are, for just getting me through this life. I promise to always be here, as you have done for me.