Hi you,
From the moment I was tasked with writing a piece about friendship, I thought of you.
You were a breath of fresh air, a pleasant surprise, a welcome change of pace. I wish I could say I remember our first meeting like it was yesterday. However, the good news is, everything that came after that, is etched in my memory forever.
You came into my life soon after pain and disappointment had woven themselves into the fabric of my existence. You gave me time and space to warm up to knowing someone who felt exactly the way I did. You were special, from the very beginning. One moment, I was lost at sea and the next, you were there, holding my hand, guiding me back home.
You never asked for the title. You didn’t care for the declaration. But when I wasn’t paying attention, you slowly made your way into my ups and downs. You became the first person I wanted to speak to when something worked in my favour and you were the one I wanted to call and cry over the phone with when something didn’t. It always felt like I had known you forever. Our routine felt natural. Through the heartaches and the celebrations, you were there. My constant.
I haven’t seen you in a while, and yet, I can say with certainty, you deserve the best. You deserve grand declarations of love. When I reflect on the times we’ve shared, I’m grateful for all our experiences, even the seemingly mundane. I love that you let me in. I love that you trust me enough to tell me things you don’t tell anyone else.
The future carries such uncertainty. I wonder where I will end up, or if I’ll ever manage to make my dreams a reality. But amidst unpredictability, I am certain of one thing: you will be the first person I know to call. You will be the one cheering the loudest. Your name is already imprinted on the invite to a big event that even I’m not sure will happen. More than that, your name is forever imprinted on my heart for all that you have done for me, and all that you have been to me.
Thank you. Thank you for the nights you stay up listening to me. Thank you for always being there to remind me that I am worth more than all my failures put together. Thank you for going along with my crazy ideas and for calling me out when you knew I really need it. Thank you for pushing me to be my best self and for loving me through the ups and downs. Thank you for always showing up and being the person I can count on.
You are my best friend, and I can only hope that I have reciprocated all that you have given to me. No matter where your road leads, you will always have a safe haven in me. You are, and always have been, a forever friend.
Written by Rhea Baweja,
Week 5, January 2021
