I've learned a lot this year... I learned that things don't always turn out the way you planned or the way you think they should. I've learned that there are things that go wrong that don't always get fixed or get put back together the way they were before. I've learned some broken things stay broken, and I've learned that you can get through bad times and keep looking for better ones, as long as you surround yourself with people who love you.

I used to think friendship was sleepovers and play dates. Now I know its not. Friendship is long conversations about what happened the day before. Friendship is rolling around laughing at a stupid joke for the third time that day. Friendship is sitting there eating in silence because you would rather eat than talk. Friendship is love in the strangest ways when all else is lost.

It is about being different, in a good way. It is smiling and laughing more than ever whilst in their company. Not having to pretend everything is okay when it is not. With them, you can drop the fake smile and put on the real one. It isn't about feeling hurt and alone but instead feeling safe and loved. Its having someone to talk to that will listen without you feeling the need to hold back. Someone to show you that they do actually care. Someone you appreciate because they make you happy.