On our trip to Daytona in August 2017, my best friend and I got tattoos to symbolize our friendship.

Yin and yang is a dynamic symbol that shows the constant, continuous interaction of two energies. One cannot exist without the other. This ancient Chinese symbol exposes the duality of everything that exists in the universe.

This is a beautiful Taoist concept that I have admired for a long time. While in the philosophy it emerged from it represents the functions of the cosmos, in my life, it represents the function of two souls that inevitably became an inseparable dynamic duo. She will forever “balance me out,” if you will.

Even though we go through periods of not speaking every day, whenever we do, it feels like we were never apart. There is no competition between us, we simply lift each other up and build on each other’s ideas. She encourages me, inspires me, and motivates me to be my best self.

We rarely argue, and when we do, we always end up laughing in the end. All the petty fights that we have seen break so many friendships, even ones that we were a part of, could never severe the deep roots of our ever-lasting bond.

I know that I can tell her anything and everything without judgment or resentment. She accepts me for who I am as I accept her. She trusts me with her secrets as I trust her with mine. This is the greatest gift I have received which no amount of money can buy.

When she is strong and fierce, it ignites a fire within my own heart. When she is in pain, I feel like I have been stabbed in the back as well. When she is happy, the sun shines even on my darkest days.

I hold the memories we have so close to my heart. Day trips to the beach, high school football games, birthday parties, meetups for dinner and ice cream. Hysterical laughter that turned into tears, resulting in forgetting what we were even laughing about.

The simple, little moments in life really are the big ones when given the chance to look back.

To my best friend, my other half, I know that life is a rollercoaster with many ups and downs, but you will always bring me back to a leveled ground. No matter how far away we wander from each other, I hope you know that any time you need me, I’ll be the North Star shining to bring you back to a place you know you are safe and loved.

Thank you, from the depths of my being, for showing me what it means to be a true friend. You complete me. For real, I don’t know where I’d be without ya. Always remember you are a strong, independent, and beautiful. I love you, my soul sister!!!

"Hopefully, you have a friend who's gonna tell you that life kicks you around sometimes. It scares you, and it beats you up. But, there's a day when you realize that you're not just a survivor. You're a warrior. You're tougher than anything it throws your way. You are." - Brookie Davis, One Tree Hill