Dear Kindred Spirit,

Thank you.

I see you when your energy alone calms me when I am stressed and lifts me when I am down. I feel you when your arms around me make me feel at home; when your hands hold mine and I am at ease; when your smile reminds me that I am not alone. I know that your heart has a way of speaking directly into mine, without needing words, without needing permission, without needing anything at all.

When I look at your kindness and your authenticity, I see the teacher who showed me how to love myself, how to be kind to myself, and how to forgive - not only myself, but those who have hurt me. Simply by being you, you have given me the freedom to be me. You have encouraged me to live freely and let go of fear; to push myself while also letting go; to enjoy this life instead of bracing against it.

I see you even when we argue. I see how you allow me to be in my space while you stay grounded in yours, and how that has taught me to release the pain, the frustration and the anger instead of holding them. I know that you see the true me, and because of that, I have learned that I am lovable and worth the effort. I see how you look past your own feelings to understand the fear beneath my words; how you diffuse the storm by finding your love and kindness and offering it exactly when I need it most; how, when I am mean to you at my worst, you still find the best in me and choose our friendship over your pride. By being consistent, loving and forgiving, you have become my mirror. You have reflected my pain, my worth, my love and my hopes for who I want to become. Through you, I have watched myself overreact, blame you when I was wrong, and get triggered and respond unfairly - and instead of shame, I have found understanding.

Before you, no one had ever offered me a hug while I was screaming at them, simply because it was clear that I needed one. No one had ever paused mid-anger to consider why I was bringing up a topic yet again - clearly it was still on my mind, still on my heart. No one had ever listened so intently that they could pinpoint the one gift that would warm my heart the most. No one had ever fought so hard to remain my friend, even when I hurt them out of my own fear and insecurity. No one had ever pushed themselves so hard to become a better person because they believed that is what I deserve.

I'm sorry for the times my fear reached you before my love could. I know that my worst moments were never about you, and I know it took strength to keep seeing me through them. I have watched you carry your own pain, your own fears and your own struggles, and you have inspired me with your strength and your will to be the best person you can be. Watching you struggle and still push forward has moved me to become a better version of myself; to step out of my comfort zone; to keep going.

Having you in my life makes me want to run down PCH with my arms open. I feel unstoppable; I feel safe; I feel loved. I see so much of myself in you, and I see how much beauty and love you bring into this world. No matter how bad things got between us, I never wanted to lose you - and you are one of the only people who fought just as hard not to lose me. You have given me strength just by being you: being here, being real, being honest, being vulnerable, and being loving even when I felt I didn't deserve it. You have always had a way of reaching into my heart and releasing the love, healing the pain and soothing the fear. You trusted me and let me in when you had no reason to. We are so alike and yet so different, but our hearts feel like they have known each other all of our lives - on the same page since day one, fear and all.

My heart and soul feel at home with you. And because you have consistently and authentically been my mirror, my mind is beginning to find comfort and ease - a peace that has quietly leaked into every other relationship in my life. For that, I thank you. Thank you for helping me see me, accept me and love me. Thank you for helping me become who I want to be, both spiritually and emotionally. I can never repay you for all the good you have brought into my life. I am calmer; I am happier; I am more open. I am a better person for knowing you.

Kindred Spirit, I don't know where this friendship will take us or how long it will last, but I need you to know that you are seen, that you are enough and, most importantly, that you matter - to me, always. My heart will forever have you in it, and a piece of it will always be with you. Thank you for finding me!

Sincerely, Your kindred spirit and grateful heart