Dear Olga,

You are amazing. At least I think you still are because I haven't seen you since...I actually don't remember. Quite frankly I've grown a little fuzzy on what you look like. But I seem to vaguely recall stunning good looks so hopefully you haven't let yourself go...

I can't believe we're not together on this, your 20th birthday. This is a HUGE milestone because up till now you've been a lowly little teenager and now you are a woman, taking on the world. Hopefully with cake and party hats. You and your amazing genetic material are going to write amazing things and I'm going to go around telling everyone that yes, in fact, I am the best friend of that Tony-nominated writer. And people will buy me drinks and ask me to tell them embarrassing things about you but I will remain loyal to our friendship.

I cannot even count how many times I've felt low but then remembered that Your Amazingness is my best friend and that you call ME about the most important events in your life... like when you pierced your nose. Which I thought was a completely awful idea until I saw it and it actually looked cool. Your emails are what I look forward to the most when I check my inbox seventeen hundred times a day. And even though we're not always really good at keeping in touch I have never in my life worried that we are growing apart. And you are the only person I can say that about.

I hope that today was an incredibly happy day for you because you deserve them everyday but especially on this day, your birthday. I love you more than words can say, although i'll bet that you could say it. Be happy, healthy, but most of all, always be my best friend because it is your friendship that propels me forward to believe that I CAN do the things that I want to do.

Happy Birthday, Olga.