By RAVINA PATEL
Staff Writer

Every day, you make my world even brighter, like my own personal ray of sunshine. When we first met, I had no idea you would be so important to me. As our friendship grew while we spent every day laughing until our stomachs hurt, I felt really lucky to know you. I loved the days we spent screaming our favorite song lyrics at each other without a care for what other people thought. We were so carefree and so innocent. Our friendship has had its share of ups and downs, but we got through every ordeal together. When we were both lied to, the only people we could trust were one another. When someone tried to turn me against you, it ended up making us stronger. Through it all, we emerged as the best of friends. You know my secrets, my heart’s desires and my far-fetched fantasies. You are my biggest supporter, my staunchest defender and you believe in me when no one else does. Even when I was crying alone in a bathroom stall and felt like turning my back on myself, you were there for me. You liberated me when I felt most trapped. You have seen me laugh and cry, sometimes both at the same time. I cannot tell you how much your support means to me. You make my burdens smaller and my joys all the more wonderful. Thank you for being my best friend. I do not know what I would do without you.