You changed my life.

Ali,
I chose you for this letter because you are my best friend.  I don't know how I could exist without your friendship.  While I have other friends who are amazing- who I love so much and who have also changed my life in many ways- you're my best friend.  I love our long, deep conversations.  Our inside jokes still make me smile.  When you hurt, I hurt, and when you laugh, I laugh too.  I don't know what I would do without you.

I think the hard times we've been through have made us closer.  Even during distant times (the summer, for example), it amazes me that we're able to keep our friendship as strong as we have.  At times, I'm unsure if we could get any closer.  You're like my sister.

While it's our senior year, and neither of us is completely sure where we're going to go after this, I know we'll always be friends.  I can't envision my life without you in it.

I love you because you're my confidante.  Some things I've told you, I could never tell another soul.

I love you because you are my editor.  You're the one who makes me feel like a worthwhile writer when you tear up over my books.

I love you because you're my comic relief.  You always know exactly what to say in the most awkward of moments.

I love you because you're perceptive.  Some things you just seem to know.  You know when someone is unhappy or struggling and you know exactly what to say.  You know the underlying cause behind someone's actions.  You know what I'm feeling when I don't know what I'm feeling.

I love you because you're so motherly.  You take care of me sometimes like my mom does. :)  And yet we still balance each other out when I show you how to organize things. :D

I love you because you're passionate.  You are willing to stand up for what you believe.

I love you because you're beautiful, even when you don't know it.

I love you because you've changed my life.  You showed me what true friendship is.

Ali, I don't know what I would do without you.  You've made my life so joyful.  Jesus is so evident in your life and in your heart.  All I can say is thank you for changing my life for the better.  Thank you for being my friend.  Let's be friends forever.

Love,
Emily