I have seen article after article written from the point of view of someone who has been left behind by someone they used to call their best friend. These articles are typically written in the format of: "I wish the best for you and I still miss you and love you, but honestly go to hell." They blame their ex-bestie for leaving them in the dirt and being selfish and uncaring towards the person they used to be the closest to. Well, I am here to give that friend a voice. Sometimes, you have to take care of yourself and do what is best for you, and if that means leaving behind a friendship that was emotionally exhausting or toxic, then do not feel bad for doing what is best for yourself.

Dear Ex-Best Friend,

Regardless of what you may think or how you may feel, I still love you and miss you very much. I do not think I will ever stop caring for you. You were always there, for as far back as I can remember. You were there in my awkward phase in middle school and you were there when the boy who I thought was my first love made me cry my eyes out. We were there for each other when we had no one else. We were there for each other when our teenage angst had made us feel as though we were completely and utterly alone. When something exciting happened, you were the first person I thought of to tell. The smiles, laughs and serious talks we shared were endless. I will always be grateful to you for this, and I will never forget the millions of memories we made together.

I still keep up with you on social media, as you do with me. I watch through the screen of my cell phone as you take on the world and live out all of your wildest dreams. Honestly, I can not put into words how ecstatic I am for you. I knew you would do something great, and seeing you doing what you love and excelling at it warms my heart like nothing else. Seeing you purely happy for once in a very long time is incredible. I see that you have found another best friend, and I can tell she is the one who's in it for the long run. She will be the maid of honor that I would've been, and that's okay. That's okay with me because you are getting what you deserve. I was not the best friend that I should have been, and she is taking my spot and doing absolutely splendidly at it. I am so happy that you are happy. And yes, my relatives do ask about you. I tell them that we don't talk as much as we used to, but that you are doing great and that you are very happy.

Although I do miss you very much and I still love you to pieces, I do not regret my actions and I do not regret losing you as a friend. Yes, that sounds harsh and void of emotion, and I am sorry if it comes across as cold and uncaring in any way, but I stand by my decision. You got me through a lot and like I said, you were always there for me, but we simply outgrew each other. We grew into two completely different people with two completely different life paths, and ultimately, we outgrew our friendship. We no longer served a purpose in each other's lives. You tried to rekindle and keep alive the friendship we once had, but there was no use. Friendships should never be difficult or taxing in any way. Friendships should never be a chore. Friendships should be easy and a release from the difficulties of life. Distance should never harm a true friendship, nor should other relationships. It did in our situation, and it became more of an effort than it should ever be. It drained me emotionally, as I'm sure it did you too. That is no way to exist in a friendship.

I will always have a special place in my heart for you. I will always have a special place in my memory for the times we spent together. I will continue to always keep up with you and the happenings of your life, and I wish you all the best. I recognize that you are probably still angry with me, and I understand that. I hope you will not always be, though. Thank you for your friendship. I hope you continue living your dreams and I hope you get the life you always fantasized about. I love you always.