I met Simon when I was twelve, in my first year of high school. We were seated next to each other in class, and before long we were doing every project together. Soon we were spending most of our time together inside and outside school too.
That was more than seventeen years ago. He’s been my best friend ever since.
Simon just turned thirty, and I wrote him a letter for his birthday. Most of what I publish here is an essay with an argument. This is a letter, written by hand, in French. It’s short and simple. I got emotional writing it, and I think it’s one of the best things I’ve written.
Here it is as I wrote it, with an English translation below.
Cher Simon,
Quand je pense à toi, je me rappelle des meilleurs moments de notre jeunesse: les longues journées à l’école, les blagues stupides que nous faisions, et ce sentiment que quelqu’un était toujours là pour moi.
La distance entre nous ces temps-ci n’est pas toujours facile, et on ne se voit pas aussi souvent que je le voudrais. Mais une chose est sûre: devenir ton ami est l’une des meilleures décisions que j’ai faites de ma vie. Je suis extrêmement reconnaissant de t’avoir dans ma vie.
Tu étais mon meilleur ami à l’époque, tu es mon meilleur ami aujourd’hui, et tu seras mon meilleur ami pour le reste de ma vie.
Joyeux anniversaire pour tes 30 ans bro. Et à nos trente prochaines années!
Ton ami,
Adam
In English
Dear Simon,
When I think of you, I remember the best moments of our youth: the long days at school, the stupid jokes we used to make, and that feeling that someone was always there for me.
The distance between us these days isn’t always easy, and we don’t see each other as often as I’d like. But one thing is certain: becoming your friend is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’m extremely grateful to have you in my life.
You were my best friend back then, you’re my best friend today, and you’ll be my best friend for the rest of my life.
Happy 30th birthday bro. And here’s to our next thirty years!
Your friend,
Adam
I gave Simon the letter on his birthday. It was also the day one of our good friends got married, at a beautiful place. It was a great day, and everyone there was happy.
When I asked Simon if I could publish the letter here, he’d already posted it on his Instagram story.