You make the difference between feeling lost, and feeling at home...  between listening to my fears, and following my heart...  between having to play a role, and feeling free to be myself...  between giving up on my problems and giving them another try.

It's such a comfort to know that whenever the stress and demands of the outside world get us down, we can count on each other's warmth and support to help build us back up.  We're there for each other through the highest and lowest of times, applauding success, and easing the pain of defeat; sharing the magic of each other's dreams...  and working together to make them come true.

We enjoy an ease of relating that lets us be completely ourselves.  When we open up to reveal our innermost thoughts and secrets, we can trust each other to treat them with care.

We realize that things won't always go our way, and when we give in a little more than we'd like it's not defeat but an investment--and we know that in choosing to share our lives...  sometimes we'll have to give up a little more of ourselves...  to gain so much more together.

You share my joy in the good times and help me to see the humor in the bad times.  Your support makes everything a little easier--And that makes a big difference.  You listen sensitively enough to really hear me, you look deeply enough to really see me, and you always make time to make me feel worthwhile.

You're my best friend--I can trust you to show me patience when the world is too demanding, acceptance when others are judgmental, loyal support when others turn away.

I wish that you could know what strength I draw from the closeness we share...  the trust I feel when I look into your eyes...  the comfort I feel when I hear your voice...  the happiness I know whenever I am with you.

I wish that I could somehow repay you for the gifts that have made my life complete...  the warmth of your companionship, the depth of your understanding, the constancy of your support.  You ask nothing of me, yet nothing I could ever give you could ever be too much.

I don't often communicate how much your support does for me...  that yours is the stability that calms me in times of confusion, the comfort that eases my deepest sorrows, or the encouragement that so often makes the difference between giving up and giving my all.

I don't often express how great a difference you always make by offering me open arms when I need to be held, a listening ear when I need to be heard, your self--when I need to be loved.  So what better way to thank you simply for being the most important person in my life--for you've done more for me than anyone else has...  and you mean more to me than anyone else will.

When I am stubborn you see behind the charades I sometimes play, and gently push me toward the person I'd rather be... 

When I am frightened, your comfort tells me what I need to hear most: I'm not alone.

When I am hurting, I need to be reminded of the pain my struggles create in you for I am not used to having someone care so much about me that my suffering becomes theirs.  Your support means a lot...  Your love means everything.

It's comforting to know we can count on each other to understand our most complex ideas, and to share our deepest feelings...  that we can talk openly and trust that our words won't be judged.  Our communication is easy, nourishing and complete.

My wishes for us...  that we'll continue to share new interests and adventures, and allow each other freedom to develop as individuals as well...  that our faith won't be shaken by occasional feelings of hurt or anger--that we'll continue to acknowledge our differences openly, and to see them as opportunities to learn and to grow closer...  that we'll find in each disagreement the patience to listen, the courage to trust, and the strength to forgive.

We'll never forget the qualities that first attracted us to each other and how much we still appreciate them...  We'll always inspire the best in each other, applauding successes, nurturing strengths--believing in each other's dreams and working as one to make them come true.

We don't know what changes lie ahead, or where our shared path will lead...  But what I do know is that I'm here for you today--to listen or talk, to applaud or console...  to want, need, and to love you with all my heart."