As a tear rolled down her cheek and landed on her lips, he reached up and wiped it away with his gentle finger tip. Her face was red from crying, he held her so tight with everything he had - didn’t let her go until she was no longer sad. Listened to every word she said and showed her that he cared and told her that he loved her and let her know that he’d be there. Listened to her heart beat and smiled as he hugged her… and he did all of these things because he truly loved her.

i love what you are, and what you do and how you try.
i’ve seen your kindness and your strength that carries you through.
i’ve seen the best of you. i’ve seen the worst of you.
and I understand with perfect clarity exactly what you are.
and i love you

Even the very best friend isn’t perfect. Every friendship has its share of ups and downs, disappointments and discouragements. But the true test of friendship is whether it endures the hard times as well as the happy times. When you are truly best friends – when you have a friendship worth preserving – you learn how to voice your feelings with each other. You discuss how and when you’ve been hurt. You even cry together. Then you forgive, seal your friendship with a hug, and continue on good terms with each other. That’s how best friendships are maintained over the years. Each little offense is dealt with and forgiven (and forgotten). The focus remains on the strengths of the relationship: love, understanding, acceptance, and loyalty. When you take time to work through differences and misunderstandings, the friendship grows stronger and sweeter.

I miss knowing you were always there. I miss the security. I miss the stupid fights that either made us shut up until next time or somehow made us stronger. I miss holding your hand. I miss you holding back. I miss you not holding back. I miss your scruff and always being amazed that I walked away without severe beard-burn. I miss those nights when we didn’t want to stop being with each other. I miss getting so pissed at something you would say or do and trying to deal with it on my own until you made me fess up. I miss surprising you. I miss being surprised by the glimpses of your humanity every now and then. I miss the look you’d get when i’d touch your cheek. I miss how you thought you were so stealth with your mood changes when you really can’t hide them from me. I miss how i always knew where I stood. I think I miss your hugs the most. didn’t need them often, but now when I do, it sucks to know you’re not around to give them.