I’m a big fan of love letters; I’ve always been of the mindset that you should tell people how you feel. I also write a lot about love – mostly about romantic relationships. But today, I’m writing about a different kind of love. Part essay, part love letter, this is the story of one of the greatest loves of my life. Happy birthday, Kenzie.
I was at a game of Ultimate Cantaloupe. Yes, you read that right, like the melon. It was my 2nd day on campus my freshman year of college and I was open to anything that might bring me friends. That hour changed my life; it’s where I met my college crew. It’s where I met Mackenzie.
I could write a book about the history between us. The long conversations, the loads of laughter, the hours on the phone, the sunburnt hangovers after a long day at the beach. But, I’ll do my best to sum up how much she means to me in an essay.
Mackenzie is the person I turn to; when I need to laugh, when I need to cry, and when I need a logical perspective to mellow my emotional brain out.
She is one of the four people I have on speed dial. Our reality television watching is borderline codependent; I’ve been known to leave work early just so I can call her to discuss a show. Whenever anything major happens politically, she’s my first call; we rage about politics together. Whether I’m bored at work or having a crisis, she’s the number I dial. I once answered a call from her on the top of Old Rag mountain. After I hung up, the friends I hiked with commented that I sounded so peppy and happy on the phone. It makes sense, I’m the best version of myself around Mackenzie.
She is a friend who has never needed me to be anything but myself. In my hardest moments, she held space for me to hurt. She listened to my story without judgment. She drove me to the Mall of America so I could escape my mind. She is the person who encouraged me to go to therapy for the first time. She never left my side. She gave a damn about me when I was unable to give a damn about myself.
When I moved to Virginia, Mackenzie was there. A month after I moved, she showed up at the airport, ready to explore and adventure my new city with me. She has come back every year since. If you’ve ever had someone fly across the country for you, just to hang out, then you know how that feels. She’s a piece of home I can always count on. She is my adventure buddy. Our list of places to visit is a mile long. If it involves fun drinks and dancing or the beach, we’re in.
Mackenzie knows everything about me. No topic is off limits. She has been there through every love and every heartbreak. When I get married one day, my partner won’t have to ask my dad for his blessing, he’ll have to ask Mackenzie.
Kenz,
You are the logical head patter and I am the sappy, emotional, hugger so just bare with me here.
I LOVE LOVE you. Like, at least once a week I get emotional about how much I appreciate you and how thankful I am to have you in my life. My world is brighter and so much more fun with you in it. There is no one I laugh harder with. There is no one I could spend half a workday on the phone with. Even though we are states away from each other, we do life together and it’s my favorite thing.
Please never doubt that you are so beyond loved and appreciated. Never doubt that you are an incredibly magic human being. No matter where life takes us, I will always be here to eat chips and queso and drink margs with. To chat about pop culture with. To be angry about politics with. To talk about everything and nothing with. I will always be here for you, the way you have been for me.
I am so lucky to know you.
Happy Birthday, Best Friend!!
Love,
Elisabeth
