Week 5: My Best Friend

Just a forewarning: this post is going to get sappy.

My first month of high school, I met someone who changed my life. Over the next four years, we would spent nearly every weekend and all summer holidays together. Through the highs and the lows, the twists and the turns, she was my constant.

She helped me figure out so much about myself. What I was good at, what I was afraid of, and what I needed to do to face those fears. She encouraged me to push myself, but always let me know whenever I took anything too far.

She made me feel strong, and held me up when I was weak. She taught me how important it is to fight for the things you believe in, the things you love.

We are both headstrong, independent and chronically lazy. We've certainly had our fair share of disagreements, but I think what we have is strong enough to weather anything. Sometimes we do stupid things, things we probably shouldn't. People call us crazy, but we sure do have some amazing memories to show for it.

The summer after graduation, I spent as much time with her as possible. It didn't matter if we weren't actually doing anything - just hanging out was enough. Goofing off, pulling silly stunts, and enjoying the sunshine and the seemingly endless days.

When September came, it was time to say goodbye. The sadness was mingled with nerves, an eagerness to see what was over the next rise. This time though, we wouldn't be racing towards it together.

Away at school, new friends and new experiences flooded my mind, but nothing could stop me from missing her. Nothing can, even now. Sometimes it overwhelms me, how much I wish I could see her, spend even a few minutes just being close to her.

It's a cliché, but it really does feel like a part of me is missing. Or at least, a part of my heart. I have this spot, this part of my chest that just feels...empty. An aching empty, one that strains and pulls, trying to make its way back to its missing piece. Of course I get to see her over the holidays, but until then, I remain incomplete. A puzzle missing that last chunk of sky.

The thing is, though, that none of this, none of it, can change the fact that four years ago, I met someone who changed my life. Despite the sadness, the emptiness, the missing-ness, despite all of that - I am so glad I did.

If we had never crossed paths, I don't know who I would be - but I wouldn't be as strong, as brave, as confident, as crazy as I am today.

Goodnight, bloglings