I don’t need to formally address this letter to you, for you know who you are. Your name is marked upon the scars that you healed, the tear stains on your favourite shirts, the nights of endless talking and reasoning and the countless memories that have forever changed my life. You are my friends.
When I first met you, I never expected you to be so important to me, and honestly, sometimes I wish you weren’t. Not because I don’t love you or because we don’t always see eye to eye, but because I know that I can never repay you for all the good you’ve put into my life.
Even when I find myself back in the dark place, you never fail to somehow manage to make me smile, if only for a second. The love you have for the world, the compassion you have for others and the drive you have to succeed are more than enough to make the Grinch’s heart grow three sizes too big.
In retrospect, it has only been a short amount of time since we have actually been friends. But even though the time is short, the memories and the feelings are infinite, and I am more than thankful for our little infinity.
To the friend who taught me vulnerability, thank you for understanding me
For accepting my flaws and for knowing that I would be okay even when I didn’t. Thank you for refusing to let me step off the edge, showing me that family doesn’t necessarily mean blood and that love is so much more than a temporary emotion. You are one of the most incredible people I have ever gotten the pleasure to know and I am thankful every day for your existence.
To the friend who taught me strength, thank you for allowing me to spend the holidays with your family at home
For constantly waking me up from nightmares and reassuring me that everything will be okay. Thank you for not allowing me to give up and going out of your way to make sure that I am always safe. You are one of the most intelligent, hard-working people I know and you always manage to handle your stress and burdens in a way that not many people can, and you do so while still managing to be my rock.
To the friend who taught me sisterhood, thank you for never giving up on me
Even when I was ready to give up on us. Thank you for always being there in the middle of the night, having a cheesy joke to make me laugh at the drop of a dime and showing me that when you become someone’s person, no amount of turmoil can destroy that. You are exceptionally beautiful and wonderful and I know you are going to go so far in everything that you do.
To the friend who taught me balance, thank you for being able to transition from a mature adult to a whimsical five-year-old within a matter of seconds
You never fail to make all of those around you feel a sense of wonder and passion for the world we live in. Thank you for demonstrating that even when life is serious, there is always time to take a step back and enjoy living.
To the friend who taught me loyalty, thank you for never leaving
Even though we are not always together. The random texts with a simple heart, the unexpected hang outs when you know I’m not okay and the endless hugs when you can read me better than a lot of people have always proved to be some of the most meaningful moments. Thank you for showing me that even the toughest-looking people have some of the strongest feelings and that love comes in all different ways.
To the friend who taught me positivity, thank you for sharing your love for travel, love and life with me
Thank you for being an even better version of myself and never failing to show what true compassion looks like. You’re a beautiful person and your love for the world is one of the most inspiring attributes a person can have.
The vulnerability, strength, sisterhood, balance, loyalty and positivity are what saved my life. Without you, or your teachings, there is not a doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t be who I am today. You are the greatest blessing and the biggest saving grace. After the short infinity with you, my saving grace, I have discovered that home is where the heart is and home is wherever I’m with you.
To the friends of this letter, thank you for becoming my family and thank you for teaching me love.
