January 8^th 2016

Dearest, dearest, Rachel,

This is a love letter to let you know how much I have cherished your friendship over the last decade. You have always been there for me when I need you, such a loving and compassionate confidant and cheeky co-conspirator. I’m so very grateful for our random meeting all those years ago where we bonded over both being rampant ENFPs in the audience of a “Buddhist Psychotherapy” talk night. How my life would have been so different without us both having the pluck to connect with a stranger?? We have shared probably hundreds of hours of deep and meaningfuls, unconditional positive regard, hilarity, and kinship. We have seen each other through pregnancies and childbirths, relationship breakups and makeups, family dramas and losses, work disasters, philosophical phases and mazes, identity crises, and many mini-rebellions and crusades!

If I had to choose one person to be marooned on a desert island with, apart from hubby and immediate family, it would be you, M’Dear! We get each other implicitly, and to be understood so effortlessly is a rare thing in this world. I value your unending compassion, forgiving nature, and generosity of spirit. You love the world, and it loves you back. Even in your darkest days, you are buoyant in spite of yourself. You have infectious enthusiasm, which takes the pressure off me being the one to always bring it! You are so very thoughtful and genuine, with the same mix of personal integrity and flakiness that I get and adore, because it makes me feel better about my own flakiness! You are intelligent and wise at times when I am not, and you help me find my true north when I am feeling rudderless and lost at times. We share many of the same values and support each other in loving the people around us openly and reflectively.

You have introduced me to Zen Buddhist philosophy and practice, meditation (which I need to be reminded to practice more!), many social causes, countless wonderful and inspiring TED talks, and together we have gone through many therapeutic phases. Our chats always weave in and out of work, kith, and kin relationships and philosophical constructs with ease. I value your insights tremendously, and I also feel valued in return. With all this heavy duty talking, it might be surprising to some just how much fun we have! I know you’d always be up for an adventure or to do something “a bit naughty”. Being with you takes me back to hanging with my besties as a 16 year old. Full of mischief and wonder, and just looking for rules to break for the hell of it! I feel like I could tell you anything and you would seek to understand and support me, and that is such a wonderful place to be with a friend. I look forward to growing old with you, and continuing to laugh and eat sashimi and drink wine.

Thank you for being you, and thank you for being in my life, and by my side regardless of whatever shit is going down.

You will always be my “Bestie”!

Much Love,

Shan

Xxx

P.S. I am hoping this love letter in a bottle inspires whoever finds it to share the love

1)   visit www.lovefloats4eva.net (you’re already here!)

2)   Leave a message on the website telling us where you found the bottle and when.

3)   Put this loveletter back in the bottle with your own letter of appreciation to someone you love… be it a lover, parent, child, friend, mentor, the check-out chick at Coles… whoever!

4)   Post the details of your note on the website and send a link to the recipient of your note to let them know that your love for them still floats!! Seal the bottle and release it in the ocean…

Where to next is anyone’s guess!!!