Dear Pretty,

This letter is long overdue. There is so much I want to say, so much I have to tell you, I don’t even know where to begin. I suppose since it’s your birthday, I’ll start by saying this. If there is a God, your existence in my life is proof he not only exists but that he loves me.

Not a day goes by that I do not acknowledge the profound impact you had on my life. You are the blue print, the first person in my life who transitioned from “friend” to “family.” So much of my hope is rooted in this sentiment, that family is not born, but built.

You’re also the only person whose significance overflowed from me onto my family. My mom and Mark never fail to ask how you’re doing. They make jokes about you the same way I make jokes about you, adorning love with wit. There are so many things that have been left unspoken, so many things my family doesn’t talk about because we don’t want to or we can’t, but on rare occasions it is because we don’t need to. Everyone in this household knows that you saved me, that you filled a hole in my life that would’ve eaten me alive from the inside out and you did it so casually, through dinner dates and beach walks and hot tub conversations.

You made it look effortless. You always have. You have been present for some of the darkest moments of my life but as time has passed, the anger and sadness that defined those memories have subsided, and all that remains is gratitude. For you. For your presence in those moments. For the future certainty that I will always love you with my whole heart.

I am so thankful for you, Pretty and I am so proud of you, because I know you’re doing great things. No matter how long we go without talking or seeing one another, I know you’re still you. And that’s honestly the highest compliment I can give you.

So happy birthday Pretty. It is an absolute privilege to exist in this world with you. I miss you and I adore you and I am rooting for you always.

Love,

Grace