Dear Hiwot,

Dear Hiwot,

I’ve made a lot of errors in my life when choosing to whom I wanted to give the title “friend.” But, the best thing I’ve ever done was becoming friends with you on Pitts School Road Elementary School’s playground in 4th grade. As an only child, I have always felt like choosing your family is more important than the family biology gives you. You’re much more than my best friend; you’re my sister in every way (genetics aside) and the most important person in my life. I can’t imagine life without you, and I never want to.

Our friendship has withstood so much more than the test of time. It has remained strong through jealousy, anger, heartbreak, death, health problems, family crises, embarrassment and assault. Without being asked, one of us never fails to become the sponge, trying to soak up as much of the other’s pain and suffering as possible and let her see how wonderful she really is. There is no one that listens and gives humble, well-rounded advice like you. You have carried me through the darkest days of my life and I can never thank you enough for that.

We have also made the best memories together, especially within the past four years: multiple seasons of high school and intramural volleyball, countless Halloweens, going to see Rihanna in concert, snow days, going to the Duke game together our senior year, your first trip to Maple View Farms, our spring break trip to New Orleans, late-night study sessions in the APPLES office and Davis Library, more Cosmic Cantina runs than I’d care to admit and daily debriefs sitting on your bed with the heater running (even in the summer). These are the things that I’ll cherish most about these past four years, knowing that we have a lifetime to add to our collection of memories.

I am a better person because you are my best friend.

I don’t tell you this enough, probably because the perfect words fail me, but I could not be more proud of you. Although I know you like the back of my hand (and you, me), you still manage to wow me with your intellect, fierce sense of empathy and genuinely selfless nature. From scholarships to Chancellor’s awards to Gillings School of Public Health awards to working for your dream program after graduation, you deserve everything you have earned. I will never stop being your biggest cheerleader and advocate.

Here I am, a sappy senior who is leaving Chapel Hill in just two short weeks. Although part of me is thrilled to actually feel like a real adult and be moving on to the next chapter of my life for which I’ve worked so hard, another part of me can’t avoid feeling sad. In our 12+ years of friendship, we’ve always lived in the same town. For the past four, we’ve lived in the same building. Everyone knows us as “Hiwot and Rachel” – we’re a duo. But in only 14 days, we’ll turn in our keys together, get in our cars and drive separate ways. I don’t know what will happen to us in the days and years to come. But I am so glad that, no matter where we are individually, I don’t have to go through anything alone.

I love you unconditionally and am so excited to watch you soar.

Your best friend,

Rachel