Dear Jillian,

The strings are small and frail, weaved in delicate designs. The once vibrant colors are slowly fading to gray. The deep purples and blues are turning pale. It barely hangs onto my ankle as the knot starts to lose its grip. The ragged strings are slowly unraveling as the months go by. The once beautiful design is turning into an eyesore. It may look rough, but it is a reminder of happy memories that happened not too long ago. From walking around a distant but familiar town to facing new challenges, each string holds a memory of happiness laced with hard work and pain. The threads hold more than just colors, they carry the weight of each memory and the feelings that knot each string together. The bracelet may be faded but the friendship doesn't die out.

When I see my bracelet on my ankle my mind is immediately flooded with happy memories from cross country camp. I remember almost every detail of the painful runs and climbing up the dunes. I also remember becoming even closer friends with you. I loved having deep conversations at night, and all of the events that seemed to be horrible at the time but ended up blowing over. And best of all I remember going into town after a long day and buying the friendship bracelets that seem to never leave our ankles. I will forever cherish these memories and I hope that they will continue to be made for many years to come.

I remember cross country camp, the deep brown wooden cabins that stood in the middle of a little forest. I remember picking a cabin and unloading a week worth of clothes and necessities onto our creaky little beds. Later on, we would go for a short drive to another woodland to go run onto trails with large hills that still make my legs ache. We would look at each other and groan before we faced the short mountains. We would run together and go at a pace that was difficult at the time, but easy now. The trails were typically small, and we would run side by side or just behind one another. We would race through the woods, avoiding the little roots and branches that would try to snatch our ankles and make us trip. Running through the dark and peaceful woods was exhausting but a good way to learn our strengths. After all of this, I remember driving back to our camp then going into town each night and buying our friendship bracelets.

I slowly tread through the colorful town. Thes warm sun beats down on my neck and shoulders. The aroma of sweet flowers and cherries fill the air. I hear the soft footsteps of flip-flops patting the ground and the subtle clanks of a horse-drawn carriage. I drift through the town to my favorite shops. My eyes graze past the pastel boutiques as I do some window shopping. My heart is set on only going to one shop. As I make my way to the store, I hear the melodies of giggles and laughter from each of my friends. The conversation is lighthearted and joyful. As I walk into my destination, my eyes scan the room for the bowl of string bracelets. Each one a new design and color. I take my time finding the perfect match, and when I do, I know my trip is complete. I buy the bracelet with you, and you buy one as well.

You have sandy blonde hair that shines in the sunlight. Your voice is filled with laughter that has the lightness of a feather. You never seem to stop laughing, it's as if your voice is a song on constant replay. Your smiling blue eyes sparkle when you think of your next joke, one that isn’t funny but could still make me laugh. You are kind but have biting sarcasm that makes me laugh even more. When I am with you, I can’t stop smiling, you brighten my day with just a “Hello”. We have never been mad at each other, we always know that we are only ever joking and could never truly be angry with one another. You have a way about you that could make me happy even on my saddest days. You are joyful and at times a bit childish, but it doesn’t matter. You are my safe haven and I know that I could trust you with anything.

I leave the store with you. We both smile, feeling accomplished with our purchases, we tie the knot of friendship. We continue to walk from store to store, but we have no cares about buying anything else, we have what we really wanted. The bracelets are bright and colorful without a flaw, and each one is similar but unique. We both wear the bracelets on our ankles, the bracelet symbolizes our friendship and we hope that the bracelet will hold strong just like our bond. The soft strings hug my ankle and make me smile when I think of how I am connected to you.

You are my best friend, and I am so thankful to have you in my life. Without you the bracelet would have no meaning, it would be nothing more than some faded string. The bracelet may not be the base of our friendship, but it is definitely a symbol of it. A new memory is engraved into the threads of the bracelets as each day goes by and I am glad to make them with you.

Love, Makayla