All my friends are smart, beautiful, and kindhearted. It’s true. I didn’t pick them. They picked me. Sometimes, I can’t help but feel like an oddball: what’s this short Asian chick who looks like she dressed in the dark doing with the beautiful goddess? I know that seems self-deprecating and idiotic, but I do feel that way sometimes. It’s like on Gilmore Girls, where Rory’s best friend is a Korean girl named Lane. Lane is an awesome chick, but she is raised by a strict and god-fearing mother. Therefore, Lane lives vicariously through Rory in some ways. When I think about my friends, I often remember this moment in Season 1 of Gilmore Girls, right after Rory is kissed for the first time. Click here to watch the moment (can’t embed the video, dammit).

Lane: “I’m so jealous. That’s it, I need to get some dumb, ugly friends!”

I can relate to this in a way, but do I really want dumb, ugly friends? Uh… not really! Does that make ME the dumb, ugly friend? Who cares? My friends are the best. They motivate me and support me and want me to be the best I can be. I learn so much from them. I can only hope that they learn from me, too.

If I am who my friends are, then I must be doing something right. I’m so grateful to have found (or, really, been found by) true kindred spirits and soul-friends. All it took was opening my mind, opening my heart, reaching out to people with whom I want to be friends (no matter how intimidated I may feel), and being myself. Yes, kids. Listen to your teachers and parents and mentors when they tell you to be yourself. Let your freak flag fly!

So… thank you to my friends. You know who you are. I love you guys.