Heather Morris posted a touching memorial on Instagram to her best friend and "Glee" co-star Naya Rivera, whose body was found in Piru Lake in Southern California on Monday. Rivera rented a boat with her 4-year-old son Josie on July 8, and the two went swimming together. Police believe she drowned after making sure her son returned safely to the boat.

"We started out as the closest of friends, but as with all new things, there were times when things got a little rocky. But we stuck by each other's side and created the most beautiful friendship built out of love and understanding," Morris wrote on Instagram, along with a series of photos of Rivera's son, Josie, playing with her sons, Elijah and Owen. Rivera and Morris' "Glee" characters, cheerleaders Santana and Brittany, shared one of the longest relationships on the show, eventually marrying in the final season.

In a touching post, Morris recalled his last interaction with Rivera." The last time I had the opportunity to meet you in person, I had put an orange outside our house for you to take," she wrote. "I wanted to say hello through the window, but my phone didn't ring when you called (it doesn't ring, T-Mobile sucks), so instead you and Josie left two succulents on our front porch as a thank you. I planted those succulents and every day I look at them and think of you."

"You have always taught me lessons about grief, about beauty and poise, about being strong and resilient, and about not giving a fuck (and still somehow paying respect)," Morris continued. 'But the most important lesson I learned from you was to be a consistent and loving friend. You valued our friendship and I never took it for granted."

The full text of Morris's tribute to Rivera follows:

We started out as the closest of friends and then, like all new things, we went through a bit of a rocky phase. But we stood by each other's side and created the most beautiful friendship built out of love and understanding. The last time I had the opportunity to meet you in person, I left an orange outside your house. I wanted to say hello through the window, but my phone didn't ring when you called (it doesn't ring, damn T-Mobile), so instead you and Josie left two succulents on my front porch as a thank you. I planted those succulents and every day I look at them and think of you. The moment I heard your EP, I was touched and I always wanted the world to know more about your voice. When you and Georgie woke up in the morning, you sent me over 5 dozen SnapChat videos. You always shared your recipes and I admired your love of food. We vowed to spend Easter together every year. Even if Covid took your last Easter away from me. You are the strongest, most resilient person I know, and I vowed to continue to live with that.

You have always taught me lessons about grief, about beauty and poise, about being strong and tough, and about not giving a shit (and still being somewhat respectful). But the most important lesson I learned from you was to be a consistent and loving friend. You valued our friendship and I never took it for granted. We never took pictures together because we hated taking pictures of each other. I have countless pictures of our babies playing. So I am showing the world pictures of our little antics for you. Because I know it is more important than anything else and it reminds me of you and me.

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