Saturday, April 20, 2013

Happy Birthday, Laura!


This picture might be a year old, but I love it.


Silliness in the snow.
Our awkward "family".


 Say Anything, last year!
Basically my best friend is beautiful and perfect.

Dear Laura,

I have a confession to make.
I haven't sent your birthday card yet. And today is your birthday. I messed up. I'm sorry :(

But it's your birthday and I wanted to be sure that I could tell you (and publicly announce) how amazing you are. Birthdays are a good time for that, so consider this part of your birthday present. (We will celebrate for real when you come back to Asheville!)

You are, without a doubt, one of my best friends. Through everything in this year, you have been there for me even if it meant running back to your room to talk to me on Skype between classes (aka super early-late, my time) or sending me constant reminders of your support via Facebook. I don't know what I would do without your sweet postcards and letters that magically appear in my mailbox every few weeks. They never fail to make me smile while simultaneously wishing with all of my heart that you were here.

I am so lucky to have a best friend that supports me in so many ways no matter the distance or timing between us. No matter who doubts you or our friendship, I know better. We are so alike in so many ways and understand each other better than I would have thought possible when I met you. Who knew that our missed opportunities to talk in that one class could have meant that we missed out on an amazing friendship?
(Good thing we go to a small school and that is not the case!)

A year ago, even, I would not have imagined that we would be as close as we are now. We were good friends then, but now you are one of the first people I come to when I need to talk, which is no easy task while you are abroad! I think that only serves as a testimony to our friendship: that we are able to maintain such a close relationship over months of separation.

You are amazing and I am so proud of you for spending your year abroad and making the most of it. You are such an inspiration to me.

I hope your 21st birthday (since it's already happened in Korea!) was everything you hoped for. I am so happy that your family was there to celebrate with you and I wish I could be too. I can't wait to see you again and I will talk to you soon!

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Forever & always,
Aly