Happy Birthday, Bestie

When I thought about how it was almost your birthday I wondered what I wanted to give you as a present. 

And suddenly, an overwhelming urge came over my heart--

I wanted to write you a love letter.

We joke that we're each other's wife.

I'm your other husband. 

(Sorry, Andy. You have to share her.)

When too many days pass and I don't see you, I feel out of balance. 

When something important happens to me, I have to tell you about it.

(Even if I'm worried you might be scandalized by it.)

I always have to tell you.

I have to tell you everything. 

Because you're my best friend. 

I have several wonderful girlfriends in my life who I also consider best friends. 

But everyone knows you're my number one. 

And they love you because they see how much you mean to me. 

You have been there for every heart break for the last 14 years. 

(15 years?)

You remember stories from my life I forgot entirely. 

I think we've only had one fight. 

Ever. 

And it was when you were worried about who I was choosing to trust. 

(And you were right.)

But you never make me feel judged. 

You never make me feel wrong for being who I am. 

You make me feel like my soul is full of glitter. 

And I've searched for love and wondered why the men I love always leave, but the truth is, you're the greatest love of my life. 

You've held me together when I was falling apart, you've trusted me as your advocate, we can do nothing and everything together, and no one has believed in me the way you do.

(Except perhaps for Mother. Which makes you my family.)

Your sister told my parents, "They're very dedicated to each other."

And it really is true. 

I don't know if I really believe in romantic love anymore. 

But I believe in you. 

And I believe in the love we have. 

And I'm so grateful to you for always being there, even as the chaos constantly storms around me, I can stand with you and face it all. 

I can't possibly sum up into words what you mean to me. 

But I can say that on this day, I am so happy that your life found its way into mine. 

Because without you, I wouldn't be me. 

And I love who I am. 

And I love you. 

And I love us. 

We are the stuff they write songs about.

And I cannot wait to grow old with you, telling the haters to fuck off, singing when we're wrinkled and our voices still strong, fighting over the last milano in our bathrobes, remembering how fabulous we were when we were just young girls. 

Happy Birthday, Bestie.

My life is so happy because you're in it. 

What more could we possibly hope for?

We already have everything.