A lot happened when we were 17:

We were seniors together.

We went to prom together (with dates!)

We tossed our caps and tossed our old lives into the past.

In our old lives, as teenagers, we were together.

We've been best friends since we were 12.

That's six years.

That's a long time to be together.

We went to Student Life together as a last bash.

Then you went to camp,

And I went to Minnesota,

And you went incognito,

And I still don't know why.

I wondered if you'd ever come back to me,

If we'd ever be together again.

By the time we're 18, I'll be in college,

And you'll be in England.

We only have a few weeks left

Of being 17

Of being together.

That's why I'm glad we planned our first all-nighter.

I'm happy you wanted to do it as much as I did.

I've never kept watch from dusk to dawn.

At 7:45 you pulled into my driveway.

We jammed and banged to worship songs by the light of glowsticks.

At 10:20 we drove away from my house.

I am a bad driver when I'm tired. I almost hit two cars.

Cookout was insane!

50 people rioted outside the door.

We wondered if we should even stay.

A bag of chips, two dips, a pack of Oreos, a cake mix, and a headband later,

We throw a $40 early 18th birthday party for ourselves at Wal-Mart.

The lady at the register finds out it's a birthday, shoots us a double take.

"No, we're not twins." You laugh.

Back at Cookout, it's wild.

A mad rush of people cram inside as blue siren lights flash.

Jason looks ready to die or kill somebody.

Hush puppies, quesadillas, and shakes.

The Friday night rush - Jason doesn't get off until 12:30. Poor kid. That's not even legal.

We sit in my car and talk until 1 AM.

I am reminded that I love you both but I'll always be your third wheel.

You understand. That's what's great about you.

I can spit out any crazy thing and you listen and don't judge,

Even when I told you I had a crush on him.

We chase his smirking face to the Cambridge light and laugh.

Back home by 1:30, we bake a birthday cake with fancy candles: 18.

We watch one of your favorite movies - Les Mis.

You got me into musicals.

You helped me get into music.

Thank you.

Ice the cake at 3:46 AM.

Breakfast tomorrow - I mean today.

Drink a Mtn Dew - I must be crazy.

5:51 - we're still awake.

Sunrise at 6:59.

We're about to greet the dawn.

Thank you for staying up with me

To greet the dawn of our new lives.

This year will be different.

We will go our separate ways,

And who knows if our friendship will remain?

But I know I am grateful that for one more night,

We could be together,

And things could be just like they always have been -

You listen, I talk.

You rant, I nod.

Talk about boys, talk about friends, talk about God.

Hang with Jason at Cookout, just like old times.

Snapchat stories, salsa and spinach dip and chips.

We are quiet together. We don't have to talk all the time.

I want to thank you for being my friend for six years.

I don't know where your future leads.

I don't know where my path goes.

I don't even know what I'm having for lunch tomorrow! Don't ask about my future!

But if we go our separate ways, which we may,

This was great.

Thank you for being 17 with me. For being a teen with me.

I wish you the best new life you can have.

In 19 days we will both be adults.

I will pray for you,

And I know you'll pray for me.

As you cross the sea and I stay right here (ironically).

God has great plans.

And I know you were part of His plan for me.

Go be 18.

Be an adult.

Chase the future.

Embrace the present.

Cherish the past, the past with me.

Thank you.

I love you.

Your friend,

Sarah