Dear best friend,

I want to take the opportunity to thank you and to tell you how much you mean to me. I don’t think everyone is fortunate enough to have a genuine guy best friend, but I’m thankful that I am. Our relationship is different from any other relationship that I have, and it is one that I am most thankful for. You have gotten me through some of my darkest of days, made me laugh more than most, and you have given some of the most honest and genuine advice. For that, I thank you.

We all know who is the drama-filled one in this relationship (guilty as charged). Whether I was incessantly complaining about the latest girl drama or my most recent love saga, you were and still are always there to listen. You made my problems your own and let me vent and rage for hours on end, not many people can do that. And on the off-day that you had something you had to get off of your chest, you knew I was always there to listen. We told each other things we wouldn’t share with anyone else because we knew the other would keep our secretes safe. It’s hard to find friendships like that, and I’m thankful I found that in you.

Thank you for making me laugh, a genuine full-belly laugh. Together we can make any situation fun and I am so thankful for the experiences we’ve had. Be it our deep life talks about our worldly views and morals or our double dates to the high school dance, I’ve been so fortunate to have you in my life and experience some of the worst days and some of the brightest moments. You always supported me and defended me, and I hope you know that I always did too, and I always will.

I’m most thankful for your genuine honesty. You were never afraid to tell me I was overreacting or I was making a ridiculously dumb mistake. You told me when I was being stupid and needed to get my act together, and you comforted me when that stupid boy broke my heart. You told me when I was being annoying and I told you when you were being kind of a dick (in the most loving way of course). I’m forever grateful for your honesty and integrity in our relationship, as those are some of the most difficult qualities to find in a person.

I know this is cliche, but I really do hope that our friendship lasts a lifetime. I hope in 15 years I can go to the bar with you to rant about my kids and you can give me advice on how to approach the latest fight with my husband. This is the kind of friendship that you don’t let go of, and I promise you I never will. Thanks for agreeing to marry me if we’re both hopelessly single and have given up (kidding but not really). But seriously thank you for being my Lucas Scott. Our friendship will always be one I hold closest to my heart.

Love always,

Your Haley James