A message, from me to you

"How you doing?" — and before you answer, just know I already know. Because after five years, I know you.

I have never seen a woman like you. You are the definition of resourceful, diligent, and amazing. I have watched you try, fail, and try again — more times than either of us can count — and every single time, you got back up like it was the only option available. It probably was. That's just who you are.

Being around you is like a breath of fresh air. We could talk for hours about anything and everything and never run out of words. We could also sit in complete silence and somehow that feels just as full. Not everyone can do both. You do both effortlessly.

They say we were on a break — life gets busy, seasons shift — but somehow, we were never really on a break. Five years of friendship, and it already feels like we've lived through several whole seasons together. The good ones. The complicated ones. The ones we'll laugh about later.

You make friendship look easy. You make it look like the most beautiful thing a person can choose to do with their time. And choosing you — every single year — has been one of the easiest decisions I've ever made.

Happy birthday, my very dear friend. The Rachel to my Ross. I pray every dream you've been holding quietly finally arrives loudly. I pray the good Lord grants you your heart's desires — all of them, even the ones you haven't said out loud yet.

Could this birthday BE any more yours? It couldn't. Can't wait for our next argument. You know I'll win. 😄

— Yours, always. (It's not that deep. Or maybe it is.)