Graduation Day

"Tessa Jones?"
I spun around as I heard my name being called from the podium. I smiled as I saw Charlie standing there, staring directly at me. His hands were playing with the edges of his gown and he was holding his cap. I could tell he was nervous. "What are you doing?" I mouthed. He just smiled and cleared his throat.
"We've been friends since we were little kids.  I met you in first grade, and here we are graduating already! I have so many memories of the amazing times I had with you, it could fill up a library if I wrote them all down. You've always been there for me, through the best and the worst times. You were there when I was dumped and you were there when my dog died and on so many other occasions. Actually, every day of my life, I've always had this amazing assurance that you'd be there. I jumped around dating pretty much all the girls in the school, yet you were always my best friend. There was always my girlfriend, and my best friend."
He paused there to smile wider at me. I chuckled, still not sure what he was doing. The crowd was deathly quiet.
"A few days ago a thought occurred to me. Why isn't my best friend my girlfriend?"
My breath caught in my throat.
"I've been thinking a lot about this and it's clear to me that I've been so blind. It's taken me to way too long to realize this. This could be the last chance I have, so I'm going to say it. Tessa Jones, I love you."
Stunned, I clapped my hand over my mouth and I swear I didn't breathe for a full minute. Charlie grinned ear to ear and looked sheepishly down at his shoes.
"I love everything about you, Tess. I love the way your eyes crinkle when you smile. I love the way you say "shhhh" and put your hand over my mouth when you mess up saying something. I love the look on your face when you make a pun and are waiting for me to get it. I love how short you are and how you make a perfect head rest. I love how you bury your head in my chest when you hug me. I love you how look up to the sky every day and thank the Lord for making it so beautiful. I love how you glorify Him in everything you do."
I could see that he had tears in his eyes. With a start, I realized that I did too! He took a shaking breath and continued.
"Today is the last day we have as school mates together. I want to thank you for being the best friend, helper, and person I've ever known. I love you Tessa Jones. More than you will ever understand."
He stopped and started to walk down the steps. I was crying my eyes out and laughing while all around me the crowd was roaring with applause. Slowly, Charlie approached me and enveloped me in a ginormous hug. It was at that very moment that I realized how much I really loved his hugs. His smile. His everything. Grinning like the Cheshire Cat, I staring up into his bright eyes.
"I love you too, Charlie. Forever and always."