Letter One: To Your Best Friend
I still remember the day we met; it was sixth grade, and my first time at SALT. And quite frankly, our introduction was both somewhat terrifying and wonderful. She is high strung, I thought to myself. Of course, who was I to say such a thing? Especially in those days.
And here we are--nearly a decade later-- and from that one day, our friendship has blossomed. It has surely had dark days, but it seems we know each other well enough to step back and let the storm clouds pass (well, I guess we know each other well enough now... there was a time when we had to figure those things out, but we're better for it now).
I've had "best friends" and "pals" all my life, but no one really compares to our friendship. It's one of those, wherever-you-go, whomever-you're-with, whatever-you-do, I am only a phone call away, and nothing will ever change that.
Your passion and drive are remarkable. You are a perfect balance of academia and arts; wild and poised; you are the kind of woman I believe God wanted us all to be; set aflame by passion and meaning. And even though things get hard some times, your eyes are on the prize--I've watched you grow, mature, and watched your dreams come to live--starting with just a slab of marble, but slowly carving out the big idea, and now, working on the details--and girl, you have a life ahead of you. I'm so glad I'll be along for the ride, whether you end up on one side of the country or the other, halfway around the globe; just as you always have been for me, I will always be here for you.
I love you very much, and I'm thrilled to see your life coming together--in so many more ways than you had 'planned'. :)
We are the music makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers,
And sitting by desolate streams;-
World-losers and world-forsakers,
On whom the pale moon gleams:
Yet we are the movers and shakers
Of the world for ever, it seems.
--O'Shaughnessy