When I was six and a half, I moved from Boca Raton to Lake Worth. I became friends with people I didn’t know would be so influential. They were always my neighbors: Christopher, Alex and Kathryn Sanchez. We were inseparable, always together and never got one without the others.

As time went on, the closer we all got. We grew up together, so there will always be that connection. There are so many things that come to mind when I look back at our friendship: from always being in the pool, out front chasing each other on roller blades, to on our way home on his 18th birthday, where he was singing so horribly that it was the best part of the day.

Recently, my best friend Christopher enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

On January 24th, I saw him for the first time in three months. Just knowing he was back was probably the best feeling, even though he was only here for 10 days.

When you grow up next door to someone for 12 years, and then one day they leave and go off into the military, it’s a big adjustment. I always thought about him, hoping he was okay, but knowing that he would be.

My favorite moment was when I finally saw him again.

I never felt so happy and relieved. It made my whole day 100 times better. We stood outside of my house at 11:00 at night, just talking. It was probably my favorite day so far in 2016.

While he was gone, it wasn’t the same. There have been times where I didn’t see him at all, which is kinda weird seeing as though we live next door to each other. Just knowing he wasn’t there and I couldn’t get ahold of him was weird. When I’m with him, I always have the best time. I love him like a brother and he has been there for me since we were kids.

We’ve always been the two people that were always by each other and never got tired of one another. I have a lot of friends, but not many that I’ve known 10 plus years and still talk to today. Knowing I have him is a blessing for me, and knowing he is gone again for six months sucks. My partner in crime is gone yet again, but I can’t be mad because I’m so proud of him.

He will always be one of the best guys I’ve ever known, and that is something that will never change.

He left on February 1st to go to his schooling for six months. It sucked knowing he had to leave again, but when I see him again it will mean a lot more to me when he’s back.