I know.

 I know that real, true friends are hard to find.  

I know that friendships can have some strange paths.  

I know that our neon campaign would have been a big success if only those bitches had listened.  I know our road trips have been some of the funnest days.  

I know all my children's lives are better because you are their auntie.  I know that they are learning important things -sometimes ice cream for dinner is ok, books are important, laughing is necessary and that there is always a reason to party around the corner.  

I know this was not your plan.  I know you love the traditions and rituals we have built for our grown up lives.  I know that we will continue to build traditions and memories and find new adventures to laugh about when we are 100 and 98 respectively.  

I know that you deserve (and will have) such big happies.  I know  that anyone who could be such a dear and important and necessary friend can only be that way because the light and love is in their heart and that is what the happies are drawn to.  

I know I will miss having you so close, being so accessible, ingrained in so much of my (our) day to day.  

I know this is not the end, it is an ebb in a friendship that has ebbed and flowed for almost 20 years now, a friendship that has spanned different cities before and will successfully do so again.  

Mostly, however, I know that I feel sad and miss you already.  I know I am not often at a loss for words - but there are no words to say how much you mean to me.  

I hope YOU know that.