Thank You For Being the Best Friend in the World

“Let’s go around and share something we are thankful for…”

Every year, it’s always the same. The leaves transform and tumble to the ground just as the air begins to blanket you in a chill. The world erupts in pumpkin flavored everything and the stores start to set out Christmas things (which really makes me want to scream). And, in true “Month of Thanks” tradition, everyone spends their November vomiting gratitude everywhere.

Last November, though, I was anything but thankful. I was devastated and drained; even breathing had become a labored, tedious task. Yet, there I was, sitting at the long, executive table, faced with the question to which I had no answer, “What are you thankful for, Megan?”

This year, everything is different, and that difference is… you.

You see, I’ve spent my entire life feeling out of place and outcasted in nearly every crowd. I never really found my tribe or someone who could navigate the complexities of my mind. I had a few friends, sure, but there was always a disconnect or lack of understanding.

Then everything fell apart last fall. As the November breeze caressed my hair, the harsh reality of abandonment slapped me in the face. The storm surging inside my soul shoved nearly everyone away; in my darkest moment, the person I needed the most simply walked right out the door.

But, new life blooms in spring time, and this year that new flower blossoming into my world was none other than you.

The strangest coincidences brought us together, but we quickly bonded like glue over shared experiences and identical thought processes. Though our zipcodes couldn’t be more different, we quickly found that we have so much in common. Your presence is like standing in front of a mirror, but finally understanding what I see staring back at me, even if that reflection is thousands of miles away.

And now, as the sun begins to set earlier this November, it’s hard to imagine my life without you in it. We’ve laughed and cried together, shared the high points and the lows. We have kept each other sane and saved each other’s lives. We’ve been each other’s wingman, sounding board, and drinking buddy. We talk nearly every single day, sometimes for hours on end.

The truth is, I never thought I’d find someone who not only understands me, but loves me unconditionally while embracing my abundant flaws. Yet I’ve found that person… and that person is you. I’ve finally found a place where I belong, a kindred spirit to walk through life arm and arm. I finally found the Christina to my Meredith, the Mia to my Lilly. In your arms, Kelly, I’ve found the kind of friendship we all long to have in our lifetime.

I am grateful for your presence and influence on my life. I’m forever thankful at all you’ve helped me discover about myself, my daughter, and the world as a whole. Thank you for being the yin to my yang, the sunshine to my storm, the reason to my madness.

So, when someone asks me what I’m thankful for this year, I know the number 1 spot on my list… you.

We may both be struggling this November; this year may be one of the most turbulent storms to date. The skies look a little brighter each and every time we share our pain with each other, though. I find the courage to face the day just by knowing you’ll be by my side through the wind, the rain, and the hailstorm as well as the calm that settles around us once the clouds clear. My presence may not be as life altering for you, but I can only hope that my words can repair your broken heart and give you something to hold onto through the darkness of winter.

Our story together has only just begun, Kelly, like a seed just starting to take root. I know that, together, we can watch our friendship blossom and the world settle into place with time. I may have no idea what tomorrow brings, but I do know that this November I am thankful beyond measure because I am grateful for the best coincidence of life. And that, my dearest Kells, was finding you.

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Megan Glosson

Megan is an avid writer, currently published on The Mighty, Project Wednesday, Thought Catalog, Unwritten, YourTango, and Words Between Coasts. She hopes to use her writing to break down the negative stigmas and barriers for mental illness, specifically borderline personality disorder. Megan is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University (2010) and spent 7 years as a public school teacher before making the difficult decision to pursue other career options. Megan  lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee with her husband, two delightful daughters, and three super silly cats. When Megan isn’t writing, she enjoys traveling and a good bowl of ice cream. You can read more of Megan’s work by visiting her website, http://meganglosson.com/.

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