Leaving my best friends back home to go off to college was a struggling issue for me. I had spent the whole summer with them, how could I just leave? I was off to make new friends, new memories, new beginnings- without them. They also were about to embark their journey, without me. I have known these girls since seventh grade, leaving them meant leaving a part of me behind. Despite being states away from them, whenever I go home it feels as if I have never left.

Dear Best Friends Back Home,

I love you. Through our ups and downs, I am just extremely happy we were able to make it through college together. From seventh grade to freshmen year of college, we have grown up together. Through the bad breakups, meeting up at our lockers, pep rallies, school dances, AVID, school lunches, personality changes, the sing along in our cars, leaving school in the middle of the day to get food, supporting each other’s sports, meeting up at the movies, shopping sprees, hikes, through the tears, and most importantly through all the laughs, we have been through a lot together. My life would have not been the same without you all, so thank you. Thank you for being there for me at my lowest of low’s.

I was so afraid to leave you all, because I did not want to miss out on more of those moments together, I was so afraid you all would replace me, and find someone else to fill in the empty space. With some of you, that did happen- and that is completely okay. You all have every right to meet other people and start new beginnings with them, but that does not mean my jealousy will go away. Whenever I see you all together my heart immediately tightens at the realization that I am not there, but I can’t be petty. I chose to study out of state, therefore I had to learn how to deal with it and I did.

It took me quite some time to open up and meet new friends because I found myself comparing everyone to you guys. I learned soon enough that I would end up being alone if I continue to do that because I could never find a group of friends like you all. So I eventually did find another group of girls that I became inseparable with. But I want to insure you guys that you are all irreplaceable. Even though I found a good group of girls here, does not mean I do not love you all any less. Although, yes I have changed; I am different now. The girl who left in August left and will never come back. Yes I still have some same traits in me, but reality is I have grown by myself. I have had new experiences and new beginnings alone; I can survive on my own now. So I hope that won’t become an issue during the summer. I did want to thank you all for always making the effort to hang out with me when I am back home for the small breaks. Yeah there were some moments when I felt left out when y’all started talking about something that happened while I was away, but you guys didn’t change the subject when I started rambling on about my life in college. Truth be told, we have so much love for one another, we just want all of us to be happy.

Thank you for not breaking our bond. Thank you for beating the odds of us sticking together. I honestly do no know what I would do without you guys. I miss you more than words could explain, I love you all very much.

Sincerely,

Your Best Friend Who Left For College