A Friend Like You

Tonight I say goodbye to my close friend,
But to me you mean so much more.
I don't know when our paths will meet again,
But 'til then I'll be thinking of you for sure.
And when I'm far away and feeling low,
I'll remember times we spent back home
With a friend like you,
Always by my side.
With a friend like you,
We laughed until we cried.
Together you and me,
We were always known as one.
With a friend like you,
I know I can go on.

I knew in time that we would have to part.
Oh, how I didn't want to see the day
When we would stand and say our first good-bye
And I just wouldn't know quite what to say

To a friend like you,

Always by my side.

To a friend like you,

We laughed until we cried.

Together you and me,

We were always known as one.

With a friend like you,

I know I can go on.

With a friend like you,

I know I can go on.

--"With a Friend", Octapella

Today was Shane McQuarrie's farewell talk. Today, I said goodbye to the best and longest friend I've had. I probably won't see him again for three years. We've been best friends since 5th grade, when I was advanced into the Pre-Algebra class that Shane was already in. Everybody else was older than us so we had to stick together. As big of an impact on my schooling that advancement had, it does not compare to the impact it's had on my life through having Shane as my friend. Because of the best elementary school principal in the world, I was able to get the greatest friend. I'm not good enough with words to adequately express what he means to me. I can explain any logical concept I can understand, but I've never been able to say how I feel. That's why I posted these song lyrics. As much as I don't like relying on the words of others, I can't say enough on my own. Shane has been with me through so much and for so long, words honestly fail me. Compared to saying goodbye to Shane, saying goodbye to Brodi, and even Nick, was easy. I didn't know Brodi long enough, and I my final goodbye to Nick was at the temple and therefore full of peace and joy. With Shane, basically a part of me is leaving. Shane has been one of the columns I lean on for support all my life. No matter what was going on in my life, I always had Shane. And now I don't for three years. Thank you, Shane, for all that you have done. For being an example and a rock in my life. For sticking with me, even in the times when I wasn't sure I wanted to stick with you. For showing me what I was doing wrong and helping me see how to fix it. For being, all around the best friend I have.