Have you ever wondered why your best friend is actually your best friend? Is it just because you've known them your whole life? Or is it simply because you like hanging out with them? My best friend is as unique as ever. I have observed and admired his way of life for the past eight years. My friends name is Mike Linn. Mike and I met in sixth grade. It immediately struck me. There was something about him that caught my attention. He had short, messy brown hair like he just rolled out of bed and was wearing a yellow Nautica t-shirt that stared at you like you were looking directly at the sun. He was wearing a pair of cream cargo shorts and a pair of sneakers from Wal-Mart. He was the typical sixth grader everyone could imagine. From that moment on we had wonderful and memorable moments. Today Mike's look is truly unique. Over the years it has changed it radically. He realized that his appearance was not what he wanted to appear. This was how his parents and friends wanted him to appear. In middle school he always wore bright polos, cargo pants and K-Swiss sneakers. He had short, blond, dirty hair, which he always wore spiky. Today you will see him dressed practically all in black. Most people would say it's gothic or emo. There is totally wrong. It's nowhere near gothic or emo. He always wears black t-shirts with some sort of design on them. His pants are usually black and for some strange reason he likes to wear black cargo pants, not those skinny jeans or denim jeans; but black cargo pants. He has an obsession with love, so he occasionally wears strange pants with hearts all over them just to get people's attention. Most people call him gay but he had the same girlfriend for... middle of paper... her and how I really missed being with her. Mike is right, love is not a game. It is a gift, a privilege, an honor. His friendship and passion for others make me a better person every day. I have learned so much from him by watching and observing his actions over the years. It has helped me in so many ways. It helped me learn the value of life; and helped me put my relationship back together with the love of my life. So many teenagers today are too busy trying to fit in; worry about what people think of them. He doesn't care what people think. He just wants to be him, he wants to be different and he wants people to recognize him BECAUSE he is different. As I said before, he has truly had a positive impact and influence on not only my life, but our friendship, and I will always appreciate him for who he is and everything he has done for me!