Caleb

When I was nine years old, in the fourth grade, I met my best friend. I was the resident "new kid" at school that year and then, after Christmas break, there was another "new kid." He was tall and gangly with brown hair and brown eyes. He was goofy and outgoing and we were both relatively friend-less in this strange new school. We instantly became inseparable. During that time, I was a painfully shy, very quiet little girl. Caleb, my new best friend, was not. He had no trouble at all talking to people and I must credit him with bringing me out of my shell.

As time passed, our bond grew stronger. I remember in the sixth grade, we had a lot of big fights on the playground. Sometimes we'd go a couple of days without talking, but we always found our way back to one another in a short amount of time. Then we entered Junior High, perhaps one of the most awkward phases in a young person's life. As we both went through puberty, I watched my best friend grow tall, handsome, and his voice got deeper. Girls started noticing Caleb more but we only had eyes for each other. We tried "going out" once or twice, but our soul mate connection was deeper than your average romantic, Junior High boyfriend/girlfriend thing.

As high school approached, we were still the best of friends. Driver's licenses, boyfriends, girlfriends, new friends; none of that could come between us. Our bond was only growing stronger. In our very conservative, close minded (see also: redneck) hometown, we clung to each other. Our friendship was a life preserver in an ocean of people who didn't understand us. We became "Sam and Caleb", the two class clowns with the sense of humor that no one else ever really "got." Our weekends consisted of seeing all the new movies together, discussing books, crushes, teachers, and life.

When we graduated, we both went to different colleges in different states, but remained just as close. We were in constant contact throughout these new, scary phases of life. We shared our first loves, first heartbreaks, first losses, and every new victory. Short trips to see each other over long weekends and extended breaks were always fantastic. To this day, when we see each other, no matter how many months have passed since our last visit, it's as if nothing has ever changed. In this crazy thing called life, my friendship with Caleb is constant. I know that he will always have my back and he knows that I will always have his. We have a history. We've known one another for thirteen years. We've known each other not just in that casual high school friend way, but in a way like no other. We understand each other like no one else can.

This weekend, Caleb will be graduating college. Tonight, I will take the six and a half hour long trek to see him, to be there for him in this milestone moment. In our lives, there will be many more milestones, and for all of them, we will be right there by each other. We will continue to share in our losses and our victories. Time has proven that nothing can come between us. No matter what troubles we face, our friendship has always been a beacon in the night, beckoning us home to a place of familiarity.

Caleb is truly one of the best people I know. He's kind and considerate, sensitive and hilarious, handsome and not at all arrogant. He cares deeply for his family and his friends. He is smarter than he even knows. He is organized and driven. He has the best sense of humor. He makes me laugh like no one else can, when no one else can. I know that, whatever he decides to do with his life, he will be very successful. I feel extremely lucky to be so close to him, to truly call him my "best friend." Sometimes, we tend to throw that phrase, "best friend", around loosely, but not me. When I think of "best friend", it's Caleb's face I see, it's his laugh I hear. I love him and I'm so proud of him. He was the first boy to ever tell me that I am beautiful. I would like to dedicate this post to him, because he, too, is beautiful. Inside and out, Caleb is a beautiful person with the kindest soul I've ever known. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us.