As I sit here on this spring evening, watching the best of my men leave my house for the last time, I feel a dull pain in my side. I met Ryan five years ago and we have stood beside each other ever since.

We jumped off cliffs beside each other, hands clasped tightly.

We danced together, shoulder to shoulder.

Life of Dance (Jai Ho) from Ryan Shay on Vimeo.

He was at my side at my wedding.

Even our faces became one.

We stood together facing everything life threw at us, side by side, equals.

There is no one else who has had as big of an impact on my life in the past five years. I fully expect our friendship to continue to grow deeper and for us to share in new adventures as time rolls on. Only now, we will stand apart, on opposite sides of the country.