To my dearest friend Ariel,

To my dearest friend Ariel,

Happy thir- I mean 20something Birthday!!

I hope this week is a happy week for you
I hope you enjoy the best food and share the happiest moments with your friends
I hope this birthday is a happy memory that you get to cherish and look back on fondly

In the time that I’ve known you, we’ve shared many happy moments and supported each other through equally as many hardships
But today, all I can think of is the laughs and smiles through the ups and downs, and I couldn’t be more grateful or thankful for you and your friendship

Every day I find myself in constant awe and amazement over how lucky I am to have found you

You change my life for the better
You motivate me to keep fighting and never give up
You share your biggest dreams with me
You support my most delusional dreams
You believe in me as much as I believe in you
You trust me with your deepest secrets
You make me feel safe in my most vulnerable moments
You nurture the best conversations and never fail to make me laugh

Honestly, how did I get so lucky?
How are you real?

My dearest Ariel,
When my life fell apart and no one showed up, you were there for me
When you were hurting, you made sure I was okay
When you felt lonely, you made sure I was never alone
When you felt uncertain about your future, you didn’t hesitate to feed me
I still remember how you took three round trips and threw off your whole day just to buy me a meal

You make me feel supported and cared for in ways I can’t even describe
I could write an entire book on all the things I appreciate about you and it still wouldn’t be enough

So instead, I want to leave you with 8 things I love about you

1. Your kindness
You’re one of the kindest people I have ever known. Even to those who hurt you, you always reflect and feel bad. You care so much and empathize so deeply with every life you touch, and especially the people you love, even to your own detriment
Your kind soul is one of a kind

2. Your courage
When you were barely 20 years old, you took the reins and risked everything to chase your dream. Despite knowing how hard it would be and how lonely it would feel leave everyone behind and go out on your own, you never let your fears hold you down

3. Your ambition
Your dreams are literally endless. As soon as you accomplish one of your dreams, you find another. You dream bigger than anyone and you work so hard to make it happen. Even when you don’t see it, I do

4. Your honesty
You wear your heart on your sleeve. Even when your words betray you, your expressions, your voice, every fiber of your existence speaks so loud and true. I never have to question anything with you. I can always trust you

5. Your talent
Music, acting, painting, writing, dancing, modeling, even shopping— you’re good at literally everything you do. Not because it is easy, but because you are extremely smart and hard working that you develop talents for literally anything you ever want

6. Your taste
Everything about you is aesthetic. The way you can put an outfit together. Every painting you breathe life into. Your expressive voice in every word you write. Even the way you do your makeup and the accessories you choose; everything you touch is elevated by your creativity

7. Your humor
You’re one of the funniest people I know. You are absolutely hilarious. Whether it’s just talking or when you’re putting on a show, your cleaver jokes, witty lines and bratty attitude always make my heart lighter. Even when things are hard, and especially then, I know it’s going to be a good day when you’re around

8. Your resilience
Your light shines so warm and bright. Even when it dims a little, you always come back. Glorious palace of light. Your pillar is the sun. Light is in everything that you are. So have faith in yourself, lion of God. You were always meant to be a star

You always say all good things come to an end, but this chapter in our lives is only starting
In just a short few months, the lives we worked so hard for are about to really begin
When the time comes, I hope the happiness you earned never leaves you
I wish you a long and happy life full of dreams and adventures and people that appreciate and support you no matter what happens

I know I said this before, but I really do mean it when I say thank you for allowing me to be your friend for as long as you have
You’re the best

If I could ask you a favour, please give yourself more grace and take some time to celebrate yourself because you are a person worth celebrating ☺️

I wanted to give you a special gift for your birthday but nothing I can do right now would live up to what you deserve— so I’ll leave you with another promise that I will make it up for you

Happy Birthday Ari 🤍

Infinitely yours,
— Matt