Dear Tonia,

At 14 years old, I played soccer for a premier travel team. Most of my teammates played on my age group’s Olympics Development Program team. However, I didn’t play ODP because I wanted to play lacrosse with my school friends in the spring. Thanks, in part, to that decision, the travel coach, who ran both teams, cut me. I was crushed – kicking the dashboard in the car when I found out. It was complete bullshit. But little did I know at that moment that getting cut would lead me to one of the greatest blessings of my life.

Shortly after, I found another club team with plenty of college-bound players – most a few years older than me. The team was Monroe Magic. Your dad was the coach. I don’t remember that first practice. So, truth be told, I don’t know exactly when we met. But I know it wasn’t long before we became close friends. We bonded over the fact that we were, by far, the most feminine girls on the team. We loved getting our makeup and hair done and were completely boy crazy.

Our teammates would tease us when we’d get dressed up to go to dinner by saying things like, “You two going to prom?”

And I know you remember when someone ratted us out and told your dad that we were in the hotel room of some boys we met at a tournament. When your dad came knocking, we hid in the bathtub. I have never been so silent in my entire life, and we got so lucky that he didn’t pull back and check behind the shower curtain.

Throughout high school, we spent nearly every weekend together: clubs in the city, parties all over the place (including in our cars), and lots and lots of boys. We weren’t competitive with each other. We didn’t gossip behind each other’s backs. We never lied to each other. As teenagers, we had an honest and genuine friendship.

That remained true as the years went by. We’ve supported and comforted each other through breakups, losing loved ones, and unexpected trauma. And we’ve continued to show we care about each other in various ways.

When we both lived in New York, you’d come over with clothes and say, “Hey, I saw this in a store and thought it would look great on you, so I bought it. Here you go.”

Seriously, who does that?

To this day, you have never missed a birthday. And you’re still my favorite dance partner.

Now, in our 30’s, we rarely see each other. I feel like we barely even talk. You live in South Carolina with your beautiful little family as you build a business. And I live in Miami, where I am working on growing my company. Even so, whenever we need each other, we always show up for each other. And when we are together, we always have fun.

Twenty years later, I couldn’t be more grateful that I got cut from that BS team because getting cut led me to you. And when I think about the impact you have had on my life, I think of how you have always made me feel, and that is happy. Our friendship is pure joy and happiness.

I have no clue at what point I decided that you were my best friend for life, but you’re stuck with me now.

I love you.