Kassidy

How has it been almost a whole year since we met at college orientation? It feels like we've been through about ten years of friendship together. I am so thankful you were bold enough to give me, a stranger, a compliment at orientation. You were kind, a friendly face, and an adorable little hippie. You completely owned and ROCKED the outfit you were wearing and you didn't just compliment me and walk away, you actually talked to me–something I had not known from a friend in a long time. I knew from that moment on that you would be my best friend.

It wasn’t until we got to school in the fall, that I could truly understand how important your friendship would become to me. I was nervous we would get to school, and never speak again, but a different plan was in store for us to make us have to lean on each other. And boy am I grateful for that. You encouraged me every single day, and made me feel comfortable enough to share my whole story with you, something I had not done with a friend ever before. You accepted the weight of my story, and I accepted the weight of yours. We carry each other’s baggage, though I know both of us don’t see it like that. We lean on each other and check up on one another; something I am so grateful for.

Kassidy, you are a true star, someone who shines from the inside out, and never gets tired of it. I am truly thankful for your smile that beams brightly, because it is something about you that never ceases to encourage me. You are beautiful. I know sometimes you don’t believe it, but you are. You are radiant. You are joyful and positive. I am honored to call you my friend.

And to this day you are my best friend, my sister (in every sense, but blood and sorority, lol), and my encourager. You push me to be my best, and do my best, but you also slow down, and hold me when it's time for a weekly mental breakdown. You have shown me the kind of support a friend is supposed to show, and I could not be more grateful for you in my life.

You, Kassidy Leigh, are a treasure. I firmly believe you were placed in my life at that time for a purpose. That purpose? To show me that true friendship is out there, it is real, and it is you. I would not have been able to survive freshman year without you, and still won't be able to survive the next few years of college if you leave!

You have taught me so much about what it means to be a friend, what it means to live life to the fullest, and how to take care of yourself. I have become a better person since meeting you. You have taught me what it means to look at both sides, and remain in the middle, but also making sure the love is always there. You have taught me what friendship is: a give and take, a balance of love, and it's always fun if you make it fun.

We share a bond that can only be formed in college. I believe we could have been friends in high school, but with all that you go through in your first time away from home, friendships become tighter, deeper, and more powerful. Through it all, you were a rock, consistent and tough. There were times you didn't feel this way, and that is when I was there to pick you up and encourage you to keep going. Life is hard, but when you have a friendship like ours, it becomes much easier to get through.

So with all this being said, Kassie girl, you are amazing. I am forever thankful our school brought us together, and I love you always.

Xoxo,

Sars