An Open Letter of Gratitude

Lex,

By the time this letter is published for all to see, you will not be able to read it. This open letter is not only a token of my gratitude for our friendship but also so I can share with the world everything you have taught me. 

To be honest, I do not remember meeting you in the first grade, but I do remember finger knitting on the playground, pretending to weight-lift with our makeshift mini weights made from your little marshmallows and pretzels, and most of all I know you have been a constant in my life since we were six. Even if we haven’t always been as close as we are now, you’ve always been present in my daily routine. There is a recording from our first-grade play where you are visibly whispering my lines into my ear and I am cluelessly repeating after you. I love this video because it is a true testament to the fact that you have always had my back since day one. 

It can be easy to expect little from the people in your life, especially if you think little of yourself. But even at the height of my personal struggles, you’ve always been there, never leaving me to feel alone even if we’re 663 miles apart (yes, I Google mapped it). Thank you for proving to me that I deserve someone who will support me no matter the distance and that support can be shown in all kinds of ways such as cute poems in the mail, long voice memos, multiple-hour-long phone calls, and even little “I am thinking of you” texts. Thank you for being my constant cheerleader. You have also taught me what unconditional love looks like. We both know the angsty-Sofia phase all too well. Quite frankly, I might still be going through that phase — is it even a phase at this point? Regardless, thank you for sticking by my side and loving me through every single phase. I really cannot finish this paragraph without getting too cheesy, but long story short, I love you forever and I know you love me forever.  Most importantly, you have taught me how to love and care for someone and how to have a healthy friendship. Relationships in all capacities are not easy, but I can genuinely say that our friendship has taught me how to be a better friend and how to support and care for the people in my life. I used to feel uncomfortable just saying “I love you” and showing affection to the people in my life, but your persistent love and affection have softened me quite a bit. 

I am so grateful to have had you by my side throughout the last 13+ years. True and genuine friendships can be challenging, and don’t always last that long. Through communication, endless support and love, and a bond like no other we’ve managed to stick by one another’s side. 

I love and appreciate you,

Sofes  

• best friend
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• open letter