Recent struggles in my life had left me sad, upset, angry, and lost. It felt like my world was crumbling around me, and it was hard to find any glimmer of hope or happiness. I felt so inundated, like I couldn’t take the constant unhappiness and struggles anymore. I didn’t know how to fix it. I didn’t know where to turn.

My heart was overwhelmed, and I couldn’t battle through the turbulent waters of life on my own. I was struggling to keep my head above the water.

But yet, in the middle of the storm, the chaos, there you were with open arms to support me.

Whenever I was upset, you were always there to provide advice and to talk me through it. In times when I needed advice, you offered guidance and support; and even in the moments when I just needed someone to listen and provide a shoulder for me to just cry on, you were still there for me. Through it all, the bad and the ugly that was ever present in my life, you never left my side. You were always so understanding, and patient with me as I worked through the difficult times in my life.

And when I was stricken with such sorrow, you always distracted me from my problems and always helped to bring my smile back to my face. You always encouraged me to keep pushing on.

You lead me to that rock, that higher ground that brought me security and peace. You raised me up above my problems and sorrows; you provided my refuge, my safe space to talk freely and to feel validated and supported. And that meant so much to me to have my feelings validated and for you to understand my sadness and anger.

Thank you for being the one person that I could always talk to. Thank you for picking me up as life kept putting bumps in the road to make me stumble. Thank you for being there whenever I needed you, and for being such a great friend. I appreciate it more than words could ever explain.