Dear Anna Ho,

Happy Birthday!!

I can’t help but think back to when I first met you. I thought you were the strangest person in the world and that even though we would work together in Starlite, we would never really get along.

We are nothing alike.

Except that out of any relationship I’ve had with a person, our friendship has been the most God-destined relationship ever. Like when we actually got to know each other and talked about every detail of our lives under the shooting stars--that’s when I remember being so humbled by God to never judge a person again. And I still laugh when I found out that you thought the same thing about me—that I was the weirdest person ever and you would never be friends with me.

Boy did God prove us wrong.

We survived bomb threats together and became sidekicks.

We’ve watched the stars together, made tye-dye together, stayed up all night talking and watched sunsets and sunrises together (even though you secretly hated me for making you wake up for the sunrise).

You even accepted the fact that I have footie pajamas and had to yell the Circle of Life when I saw the sun come up.

You were the one who taught me to be vulnerable, even though the two of us suck at that, somehow you breached through all those walls. You learned about all the hurts and pains that I had learned to keep hidden and somehow you found them and helped me sort my thoughts. I feel like I’ve known you forever. Best friend isn’t really the title I would give you—it’s more like confidant, secret-keeper, or my dearest sister in Christ.

And now you’re leaving me.

And it’s something that just happens. I’ve learned that that’s how life works. We graduate from college. We get married. We have children and stand in awe of how cute they are.

But I’m really going to miss you.

You’ve helped me out with so much this past year, told me the truth even though it’s hurt both me and you, and listened to my worries and plans for life. We may grow apart throughout the years but I’ll always remember the great things that you’ve done for me simply by listening to me.

I love you Anna, you’ve made an incredible impact in my life.