From a Best Friend

There are people in this world who we only meet in passing. There are others who remain in our lives for only a portion of it. Then there are those who will be ingrained in our future from the moment we first meet. And then there are best friends. They fall into a different category entirely because they are not only a part of our everyday existence, but from my experience they have the ability to become involved in every aspect of our lives. We can tell them more secrets than we can our parents, they tend to have personalities as similar to us as can be, and sometimes, only once in my life, we can meet a best friend who is so entwined with who you are they are practically family. I'm lucky enough to have a "sister" such as this in my life.

Over the past five years there have been ups and downs, we've laughed and cried, and cried from laughing so hard. We've have late night, into early morning, Disney movie marathons and Minecraft sessions while acting as immature as possible. We met new people along the way and others have gone. We've explored underground caverns, maneuvered various rope obstacles like skilled tight rope walkers, climbed to high peaks, raced down rushing rapids, hiked endless miles, and a million other adventures that would take too long to explain. You've overcome fears of a raging river by getting back on it, I've been on it only to get ejected in the river. I've fished in the last frontier, you've survived an RV trip across the desert.

Yes we've come a long way, you and I. I've become more adventurous in my pursuit of thrills and dragged you along for the ride. You've tried to use your teacher mentality on me and I have been the worst possible student (but really, what kid is gonna sit still while you read a book when they're waiting for a movie to start?). We've worked in the sweltering heat of summer, singing Disney and Country songs at the top of our lungs. We've worked in bitter cold of 3 degrees, with a wind chill, until we were sure our fingers and toes no longer existed. We've bonded over a shared love of books, and shared how much we love certain things. You with your penguins, all things orange, hippie and Hawaii. Of course we also love our cats.

We both tried, but in the end had to succumb to the inevitable fact of being super seniors. But looking back, it just wouldn't be right with the universe if we graduated at separate times. We've grown so much as friends, as young women, in our career pursuits, and in independence. I've gone on several wild adventures, but now, for really the first time, you have also left the comfort of home in pursuit of your dreams. For the first time, neither of us knows when we'll be together again. But in a way, this is the true test of a friendship. Being together while we're apart may be hard, but I know that we'll meet again and it will be as though no time has passed.

And so, while I could write on forever, I shall add my final remarks. Buddy, my special friend, yo-yo, Yoda, and whatever other nicknames I can't remember; I so look forward to hearing everything about your new adventure. I have seen you work towards this since the moment we met. This is only the beginning for you, and me. Seize the day. I know you'll do wonderful things, but remember who your best-est buddy is and always will be.   -D