A Letter To My Best Friend

by fourth year Kaitlyn Talsky

Dear Best Friend,

I can confidently say that no one has shaped my life as completely as you’ve shaped mine. I’ve lived for two decades, and more than half has been spent alongside you as my best friend. I’ve written you many cards (and sent many texts) for birthdays and holidays throughout the years, but it’s about time I write a letter that thanks you for everything.

I could write this letter in a language only we know, the dictionary of code words and inside jokes that only our eyes would recognize. Together, we’ve created a legacy of memories that in itself has lived its own lifetime. You have grown so closely beside me that there is no one else who could know me as wholly as you know me. And through every one of those moments, you’ve spent our time as my pillar of support and my constant source of love.

As you know, better than anyone, I’ve welcomed many relationships into my life—some good, some bad, some platonic, some not. And, as you know better than anyone, many of these relationships were unhealthy. As much as I had loved those people in those times, the person who really encouraged me to leave—sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly—was you. You, my best friend, will always be the standard for every relationship I will ever know. I only hope to get half of the joy, the laughter, and the compassion from others that I have from you. Even from hundreds of miles away, you are always in reach and always reliable.

You remind me that love isn’t always hard. You remind me that there are people willing and ready to love others in the way they deserve, including me. To put it simply, you remind me of the goodness in the world that can sometimes feel so lacking. Your mind always impresses me, but it’s your heart that inspires me most. I feel so grateful to know someone I can trust in so completely.

We have seen each other throughout so many stages of life, and you have certainly seen me through some of my worst. But, I look forward to the day you’ll see me in my best, too. I can’t wait for you to be my maid of honor at the dream wedding you’ve already heard so much about, I can’t wait for our families to live alongside each other in the way we did, and I can’t wait for the millions of little memories we’ll make in between the big moments.

More than a best friend, you are a sister and a soulmate to me. I will never be able to adequately express the love I feel for you and the gratitude I express for your presence in my life. So thank you, for everything.

Love,

Your Best Friend