Dear old friend,
There was a time when you were my closest friend. You were the first person I would call when my day went wrong. We helped each other choose outfits, we procrastinated on homework together (maybe even skipped a class for coffee once or twice), and stayed up far too late watching stupid TV shows. We tried (and failed) to make fun new recipes together until we admitted neither of us were Betty Crocker. We talked each other into going to silly parties and always made sure the other got home safely. We had a million inside jokes.
We were there for each other through school acceptance letters, wrecked cars, crappy jobs, the selling of childhood homes, and all sorts of changes. We were there for the passing of loved family members and when life turned our worlds upside-down in other devastating ways. We saw each other through crushes, new romances, and tearful break ups. I don’t know how I would have gotten through those times without you.
Eventually, you met someone different than the others. Someone special. Someone who didn’t break your heart and plunge us into an evening of My Best Friend’s Wedding and a tub of Ben & Jerry’s. I was happy for you. I was there for the wedding. We stayed in touch, but our time was far more divided. Then, I met someone, too. I know you were happy for me, as well.
Now, even more time has passed. We have kids, careers, and a million obligations pulling us in every direction. There’s no time for Will and Grace marathons. No time for all-day shopping trips when we should be studying. No time for us to spend hours talking about the future, because we are too busy living it.
I’m writing to let you know that, even though we don’t talk or see much of each other, that’s okay. I know you’re busy living your life and doing the best you can. I hope that you know I am, too. I hope you also know that none of this means that I wouldn’t drop everything if you needed me, regardless of how long it’s been. You have a permanent place in my heart.
Maybe someday, when life slows down (probably when we have gray hair), I’ll run into you at yoga, we can catch up, and have long, leisurely coffee dates. For now, though, I’ll settle for seeing pictures of your adorable kiddos on Facebook and maybe the occasional grocery-store run-in. I love seeing you happy, even if I’m no longer on the short list of people who hear about it.
Until then, old friend.
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