February 25, 2025

Dear Aneesa, 

From the first time I met you, all I could think was how cool you were. How you had this quiet confidence, and how I just wanted to be your friend.

I remember the excitement I felt when I saw you were in my PE class, and when you sat next to me I was so flattered. You were the cool junior who decided to sit by me: the loud nerdy freshman. I just admired you.

As I have grown up, I’ve developed a greater appreciation for you. You always stuck by my side. You always took my side no matter what. You always listened to me. I was never too loud or too chatty for you. You would always listen to me.

 I never had to change myself for you to like me. You just liked me for me.

Whenever I need advice, you are the first person I go to. Whether it is about what food to eat or how to text a boy. You are the first person I talked to. If I bought a new top, I would send you a photo of it.  If I liked a new boy, I would text you immediately. If I went on a date, you got a call right after, and I would tell you all about it. When people tell me ‘don’t tell anyone’ I know that I will tell you. 

You’ve become an older sister to me. I look up to everything you do. The way you handle awkward situations, the way you talk, and just how you treat others. I look up to the way you study things in college that I hate, but you love. 

I trust you with everything: secrets, my thoughts, my crushes, my life.

When you ask me for a bite of my food, it makes me laugh. Because if you asked for my kidney I would give it to you. 

My parents love you so much. They always compare my friends to you. When they talk about teenagers that they can talk to, and my friends that they love, your name gets brought up. When I mention that I’m gonna hang out with you, they tell me how much they love you and say “hi” to them. When I hang out with you, they never worry about me… because I am with you. 

With you, I never feel I need to change myself. Filter the words I say, so I don’t come off the wrong way. Dress a certain way. Or silence myself. I’ve never felt like I needed to pretend to be someone I’m not to be your friend. 

I love talking to you. I feel like we can talk for hours on end without having an awkward silence. I love listening to you talk. Whether it’s about your boring classes, boys, or just life. I love hearing about your life.

I love the way you repeat TikToks you saw once, or a quote from Modern Family. I love the way you giggle when I say something dumb. I love how you change your tone when talking to my parents. I love how you are kind to everyone. I love how obsessed with cats you are. I love how you always show me all of the random videos you saved because you think they’re funny. I just genuinely love you.

I don’t know who will be waiting for me at the end of the aisle at my wedding, but I know you will be standing next to me. 

While I haven’t found my romantic soulmate yet, I know I have found my platonic soulmate. 

You and me. Always and forever.