I’ve read a Chinese folklore story about how two people who were destined to be soul mates had been supernaturally connected by the Red String of Fate. No matter how far apart they were, or how different the paths they took, the red string of fate made sure that the two would find each other someday. I met the person attached to the opposite end of my red string on the first day of sixth grade in second period gym class. Her name was Marie. I didn’t know it then, but she would become my best friend and the one I would cherish the most in my entire life. She and I built an intense bond during our childhood as we helped shape each other into the adults we would become. Our friendship was passionate as we transitioned from childhood to adolescence,…show more content… When I was fourteen, I was hospitalized due to a virus and an infection. The sickness lasted three months and caused my body to develop fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disorder. Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes significant widespread pain throughout the entire body affecting a person’s ability to carry out daily activities. Those most likely to develop fibromyalgia are women between the ages 25 to 60. Any adult would have incredible difficulty coming to terms with having an incurable disease, becoming disabled, and experiencing constant pain. As a young adolescent who was trying to figure out her post-puberty body, living with fibromyalgia was a nightmare. I was constantly in and out of doctor offices. I was re-learning what I could and could not do anymore. I was terrified of my body because I was experiencing pain I never knew existed. During this time, I began writing letters to Marie from my sick bed telling her all of my fears and thoughts I felt I couldn’t share with anyone else. I would feel so weak and alone, but Marie always sent a letter back full of encouragement and support. Our exchanges felt life saving. If I were isolated, I would have lost myself in the pain I felt. The Red String of Fate felt so comforting throughout these hard times. During this time in my life I realized how valuable Marie was to