I love you more than I can ever say, Ella, but I'm going to try! 😂 These past years of knowing you and having you in my life have meant so much to me. I don't connect often with people so easily but I felt like I could know and trust you from the moment we met. Things I love about our friendship: we are alike but not so alike that it's boring, we can count on each other and be honest even with the bad or negative, we are always there for each other but also understand and respect the need for space -- and I feel like your perspective has helped me come into my own kindness and understanding of myself. You've taught me through your council and actions that it's important to trust and follow my instincts. That's so important to me.

You are an astounding person and friend. You are one of the most kind, inclusive, and savvy people I know. You always treat people with honesty and respect and that's a testament to the kind of person you are. You have such a breadth of intelligence and willingness to talk about anything and everything, from serious and hard to fun and light. You are so, so creative in your story- and character-telling. It is enormously inspiring to see how you weave a narrative and write your characters -- and how you include others in that collaboration of give and take. These qualities are part of makes you who you are: this wonderful person who I'm glad to know and call my friend. I'm so grateful to know you and excited to keep on knowing you, and to let you know me too.

Happy birthday, girl! You deserve all the best in the world. I love you!

😘💕🙌

p.s. i'm commenting with elena's journal so you can look at her cupcake face