A Letter To The Best Friend I’m Drifting Apart From

Dear Best Friend,

I hope this letter finds you on a day that is filled with excitement for the future. You’re leaving for college and I could not be more thrilled for you.

I’m not sure if we’re as close as we were this time last year, but I understand that things have changed in our friendship, and that’s okay. We always hear about people losing touch with their best friends but never think it will happen to us. I’m not sure what exactly caused our subtle drift apart, though I believe the distance and lack of communication that began when I went off to school played a hand in it.

We go weeks – sometimes even months – without talking and I used to miss you so much when when that happened, but to be honest, it never seemed like you missed me. And because of that, I guess I stopped missing you. When I look through pictures of the two of us, it’s bittersweet. I miss the connection we used to have, back when I knew everything about your life without having to pry for information. There are a million and one ways to contact you (thanks to social media), but I still have no idea what’s going on in your life or what the stories are behind the pictures you post. Now it seems all we’re left with is the occasional “How are you?” text, and “Happy Birthday” message, and less-than-promising plans to catch up with each other.

Our friendship is a big part of what made me who I am. I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s true. When we first became friends, I clung on to that friendship with a death grip. But slowly, I started to feel comfortable enough to open up to you and was able to begin evolving into my own person.

Most of my favorite memories I was privileged to experience with you by my side. And there are times when, for a brief moment, it feels like nothing has changed between us and all of the memories I hold so dearly happened days ago. But more often than not, it feels like I’m viewing someone else’s moments and memories; things I’m unfamiliar with. We’ve drifted apart more than I ever thought we would. And while I’ve made a few friends here and there since going to college, I’ve yet to feel as close to any of them as I used to feel with you.

The purpose of this letter isn’t to make you sad. It’s quite the opposite, actually. This letter is my way of telling you that while I’m immensely saddened by the fact that we’ve drifted apart from the best friends we used to be, I’ve accepted it. And I’m filled with so much gratitude for the joy you’ve provided me with over the years. The advice and moral support and happiness you added into my life is invaluable to me.

I’m so happy that you’re about to go off to college and live that part of your life. You’ll make so many wonderful friends, while simultaneously finding out more about yourself than you ever thought possible. And if you’re ever feeling lost, or scared, or lonely while you’re at school, or if you begin to doubt why on Earth you decided to leave your childhood bedroom to share a room with someone you’ve never met before, just know that you can do it. Things will get hard and scary and confusing and overwhelming while you’re away. You won’t have that close-knit circle of people who love you to build you back up when you’re down. But things will also be new and exciting and beautiful and lovely. And you’re strong enough to get through the difficult parts to be able to experience the amazing ones.

Even when you feel like you’re going to scream because the people on the floor above you are making a ruckus at three a.m. that’s keeping you awake or you’re a mess of tears because you miss home terribly, it will be worth it. Because you are worth it.

Life is going to happen for you. And you’re going to be amazing. Because you matter. You exist. And you can do anything you set your mind to. You are a force to be reckoned with and that is a crazy, beautiful thing.

I want to thank you for being the brilliant person you are and for making such an impact on my life. I wish you nothing but the best in your new life at college. And while it breaks my heart a little bit to know that the distance between us will inevitably increase, I know that things will be wonderful for you.

You are going to change the lives of everyone you meet in the years to come. Because I don’t think anyone can meet you and not be taken aback by your unbridled enthusiasm and unfettered passion for life. I know it’s a tad selfish of me to say this, but there’s really no one like you. There’s no replacement for you. There’s no one who could make my life quite as colorful as you have. And even though I’m not sure if it’s my place to miss you terribly, I do and I will continue to.

You are brilliant and brave, and you are stronger than you know, even if you forget to believe in yourself sometimes. You have a wondrous soul and a beautiful heart that is able to give so much love to those around you. And I’m so happy to have been able to be on the receiving end of this outpouring of love on more than one occasion.

You’re a wonderful human. Quite honestly, you’re one of my favorite humans. My heart is filled with so much love and joy and excitement for you.

You are going to take the world by storm someday. And I’m not sure you even know it.