When most people think of the word “love,” the first thing that comes to mind is often romantic love, especially around Valentine’s Day. But there’s so much more to love than just romance. There’s the love we feel for friends, family, and those who make life brighter simply by being in it. One person who holds a very special place in my heart is my best friend, Claire Person. To me, she’s the yin to my yang, the Luigi to my Mario—my other half in the truest sense of the world.
Our bond didn’t start effortlessly, though. In fact, when I first met Claire in fifth grade, I wasn’t exactly fond of her. As much as any 11-year-old can “hate” someone, I did. I hated her because she was friends with someone I didn’t get along with, and being in 5th grade, I let that shape my opinion of her. I assumed she must be just as mean, and I didn’t give her a chance. But then, in 6th grade, we ended up in the same class. And something shifted. I began to realize that Claire wasn’t the person I had imagined at all. She wasn’t mean—she was kind, funny, and thoughtful. By the time 7th grade rolled around, we were inseparable, and I could never have predicted how much that friendship would come to mean to me.
Claire is, without a doubt, one of the smartest people I know. And I’m not just saying that to flatter her—she truly is brilliant. But what makes her even more remarkable is the way she encourages those around her, including me. If it weren’t for Claire, I would never have believed I was capable of taking AP classes, capable of taking up a new instrument, or even capable of getting out of my comfort zone. She saw something in me that I didn’t even see in myself and pushed me to keep up with her. And despite her intelligence, she’s one of the humblest people I’ve ever met. If I had even half the brains she has, I’d be talking about it nonstop. But Claire? She’s quiet about it, never boasting. I admire that humility more than she knows.
And let’s not forget how absolutely hilarious she is. Her humor is a gift. She has this way of making me laugh, even on the darkest of days, and I miss that laughter more than words can express.
But above all else, what makes her irreplaceable is her unwavering support. She’s always there for me, no matter what. When I’m struggling, she’s the first person I turn to. She has this way of comforting me, of making me feel seen and understood, that no one else can.
For most of the world, Valentine’s day is about flowers and chocolate and romance. But for me, it’s about appreciating the people I love most, like Claire. She is my platonic soulmate, and I can’t imagine a world without her in it. I’m so grateful for her every day.