A letter to and about Rachael

Dear Rachael,

I'm not going to lie, this letter is taking me forever to write. I've sat down so many times to write it but I can't phrase anything the way I want to. Today I asked Mares what I should write and she said, "Um how about Happy Birthday Rachael??" Like I was an idiot who didn't know how to write a birthday card. And while this is the 9th birthday that I've had the privilege of celebrating with you, for some reason writing the cards haven't gotten any easier. How and I supposed to sum up a whole year of adventures and laughing and stuff that's happened in just a few paragraphs? Who knows. So buckle up. This is going to be a bumpy ride.

To give me somewhere to start I went through everything and found all the pictures of the two of us. There were more than I expected that's for sure... Which makes me so glad that you remember to take pictures of us doing things and being together because how else would I remember the day we put pretzels in our mouths like walruses and my hair was struggling a little?

Thank you for being the friend that my emotional and angsty elementary school self needed (let's not forget 11 year old Grace who sobbed for longer than I'd like to admit after seeing that we weren't in the same 6th grade class. Even though we were literally right across the hall every single day??)

Last year in the chaos and confusion of moving 4 times, you were so good and helpful about it all. And I distinctly remember my mom telling me only to invite friends to help that would actually help and then saying "Like Rachael. She's always helpful." And you were! I came back from taking a load to my grandmas and you were at my house vacuuming the basement. Just doing it because it had to be done. And the whole week leading up to moving you celebrated my birthday which meant so much to me. With everything going on, packing for hours every day (or not in my case) I felt like my birthday was getting overlooked. I know it's stupid and probably untrue, but it felt like such a big deal at the time. But then every day at school you gave me a different little present and a note and it reminded me that even though that birthday would be different it wouldn't be bad. The day we moved in you brought my mom a homemade smoothie to cheer her up and it totally worked. And when all of my friends were in my room trying their hardest to be helpful but mostly focusing on climbing up the tree into my window, you were actually doing stuff and being productive. You even remembered my thing about public bathrooms and how gross toilets are and YOU GAVE ME A TOILET SEAT. I can't think of one other person who would do that for me. It was the perfect present. 

I feel like sometimes I get a glimpse of what it's going to be like to have a kid when I watch you do awesome stuff. It just makes me so aggressively proud I don't really know how to explain it or what to do with all my emotions. (Maybe I'm not so different from elementary school Grace after all...) Like the time you crushed your solo in your band concert, and it took everything I had not to scream at you from the audience. And no offense to any of the other bands, but they definitely paled in comparison after that. 

And CAN WE PLEASE TALK ABOUT HOMECOMING. Wow wow wow. I remember so clearly the day that we were sitting in math class and the student council people came in with the nomination ballots. I told you told you told you that I was going to nominate you and you were going to win and then you did! It was so awesome getting to vote for you and to see your name finally fixed on the banner. 

And then at the football game it was so scary and also exciting to watch you walk down the field in your beautiful dress holy cow. And then I thought my heart was going to beat right out of my chest I was so nervous for you even though I just knew you were going to win. Then you did and I just screamed and screamed and almost dropped my camera. You just looked so happy and yeah everyone in the stands loved it and loved you but they didn't know you. Not like I do anyway and so I basically won as well because you're my best friend, does that make sense? I've never been so excited to hug you in all my life I was so so proud of you because not only did you win Princess, but also Prince and how many people can say that? Thanks for letting me follow you around all night and hold your beautiful flowers while all of Westlake hugged you. *blows kisses to your adoring fans*

Thanks also for being such good example in every way, but mostly in the way you live the Gospel. I love going to the Temple with you (whether we make it inside or not). I like how you always uplift others and go to Church even when you're in another state and make it easy for me to live the way I should be.

Thank you times a million for being so willing to help me with math homework all the time. I know it's not the most thrilling way to spend your time but I super appreciate it. And just so you know it's not your fault I failed the test. Again. You really are an excellent teacher. It's awesome to have a math tutor who can go from teaching math, to posing with statues to walking around the dress store all in the same day. 

Thank you for being so friendly and introducing me to people who are now some of my nearest and dearest friends. I know that you're a blessing in so many peoples lives. You just have a talent of making everyone feel loved and wanted. All the movies make it seem like in High School you have all this friend drama where everyone betrays you and steals boyfriends and stuff but I've never had to worry about any of that with you. For one thing boyfriends are out of the picture (but not because they want to be) and I know that you're just always there. It's that easy. And that rocks. 

Thanks for taking me to Lagoon, I really liked hanging with you and your family. And thank you for indulging my love of the swings and riding them 8 times in a row with me. Only a real pal does that. Plus you won me a Kindle, and even though I don't have a clue how to use it it's still pretty sweet. 

Thanks for making me laugh nonstop whether you mean to or not ;) You're truly a joy to be around.

I'm so totally honored that I was there when you were asked on your first date and to Prom, by the same guy heh heh... And that I could go to some dances and dates with you. I think you should keep up the blue dress theme btw. You look great in all of them, and you're getting so much better at heels.

Thank you endlessly for looking out for me and sticking by me and being the best friend in the whole wide world. I'm so thankful that your dumb new phone didn't ruin our friendship forever (not that a phone would do that but still) and I'm so glad that I have you, even though we still don't know how. Thank goodness for third grade I guess. If I weren't your friend I would be so blue all the time, wishing I had someone like you in my life. On behalf of me and every other person whose lives you've touched thank you thank you thank you. You're beautiful in every way and I'm so lucky to have you. This is me saying I lov you, sticking my tongue out at you, and layin down a sick birthday rap in your honor.  Have the happiest of birthdays Rumpthumpinrappa.

All my love, 

Gmaster