Dear Punctual Friends,

I write this not as a letter full of excuses, but rather an apology for always being “the late friend”. I know at least one person just popped into your mind, and if no one did, you are probably the late friend, so listen up.

You tell them to get places 30 minutes before everyone so they are on time, and when you don’t, you can expect them to be running at least 15 minutes late. You have expressed to them time and time again how “important” this event is, or how you “can’t get in” if you are too late or that it is just flat out rude.

Well, watch-wearers and clock keepers, I am “the late friend” and I am writing to admit that you are right.

In our culture, we are constantly running from one obligation to the next, and time is of the essence. We have access to a timepiece at all times- iPhones, Apple Watches, laptops and the occasional wristwatch. So, really, there are not many good excuses. (Can we all agree that sometimes naps end up being 2 hours long or Netflix tempts you to watch that next episode though? No? Okay.)

I am sorry for being late, because you have better things to do with your time than wait around for me, like running an errand you’ve been meaning to or watching the end of that episode.

I am sorry for being late, because it seems disrespectful of your time. Of course, us “late friends” would never purposefully do that, but I can totally understand why you would feel that way. Recently, an adult told me, “When you’re late, you’re telling people that your time is more important than theirs”. For all you “late friends” out there- is that not a dagger to the heart? Of course I would never consider my time more important on purpose, but some more punctual people may take it that way.

Also, I am sorry for being late because it can get expensive. When you are waiting, do you order a glass of wine before you get there? Sure, as I would hope. When you are waiting, do you watch Netflix or go on Instagram without wifi? As one of my friends would say, “I don’t have unlimited data, so wasting time gets expensive.”

To my punctual friends, once again, I am sorry if my lateness has ever translated into disrespectfulness or wasting your time.

Late friends, we need to step it up. In the working world and in relationships, being late can hurt other people, but in the long run could hurt you even worse by affecting your job or friendships.

So, next time you have plans and want to “finish that episode” or avoid doing your makeup in the car, consider your punctual friends (and set your clocks 10 minutes fast). It’s 2016, I think it’s time we become more aware of other people’s time and, frankly, other people’s feelings. You, too, could become a punctual friend!