The Bex Factor

All of my life I’ve had a difficult time finding true friends. They always come and go like the seasons, never really seeming to care as much as I do. Things happen, situations change and true good friends never seem to have been a constant. At least not until my adult life where I finally developed a very small group of people I call my best friends. The fact that people can so easily walk out of my life after minor conflicts or situational changes is tough for a girl who has the capacity to love as much as I do. But each time I learn who is a true friend and who isn’t is another reason to keep my real friends closer to my heart.

Today I celebrate five years of friendship with the best friend I’ve ever had. I know, it’s weird that we know the exact date we became friends. It all comes down to a Myspace message sent on this day in 2007. Cassandra and I weren’t really sure where we stood with each other. It’s understandable, really. She had been dating one of my close high school friends and I had been the random girl he always hung out with. We were unsure of each other at first but that message, that said something along the lines of, ‘you’re pretty cool and I’m pretty cool so we should probably just be friends’, changed everything.

Our first hang out alone was slightly awkward. We went skating, just the two of us and most of the day was spent gliding along the ice side by side in silence. Soon after we became inseparable, a package deal. Where ever Cassandra went, so did I.

We had many adventures together which came with a lot of good memories and even more laughs. From game nights to dancing the night away at the club, from sunbathing in the park to exploring the city.

We’ve been to the local events and plenty of concerts, birthday parties, Halloween parties, Christmas parties and New Years parties.

Together we have traveled to Mexico and Las Vegas and this year we will be going to Montreal together. There’s no one else I’d rather explore new places with more than my best friend.

We’ve both grown and changed tremendously over the past five years but our friendship has never been challenged and we are as close as we’ve always been. Last summer I stood beside her as her maid of honor in her wedding and it was one of the proudest moments of my life.

Not a day goes by that we don’t talk to each other, even it’s just the silliest, most pointless text, we are always in contact. I am thankful every day for the friendship that has grown between us over the past five years. Not only is Cassandra my best friend, she’s become like a sister to me and even my family has adopted her as such. I dread the day that life takes us away from each other but no that no matter where in the world either of us are, we will still be best friends.

Thank you for being there for me since 2007, Cassandra, through the thick and thin, the rough times, the fun times and the constant cycle of friends come and gone. I couldn’t ask for a better best friend. I love you.