We all have had a friend we thought would be there forever. Always by our side, always cheering us on, always holding our secrets. But always and forever are just words. This friend may not always be there. They leave for many reasons, new friends come into play, a relationship blooms, the list of reasons is endless. Your heart breaks and you wonder if you will ever be able to trust this person again. They hurt you. But then one day they may come back into your life. The other friends may be gone. Or the relationship broken up. Either way your friend has come back. You have to make a choice.
Do you let them back in or do you close and lock the door? From my experience both options work. When they come back asking for your friendship look at the past. How was your friendship before they left? Was it strong and the best friendship ever? Or was it a fling friendship, where it was fun while it lasted but not a forever thing? Were they always there for you? Were you always there for them? Then look at your life during the break you had. How long was your heart broken? How did you feel right before they came back? How was your relationship with your other friends? Did any new friendships thrive? After looking at all those facts then you can decide what happens to your friendship. If you don’t let them back in then you are closing a door that might not open ever again. Sometimes that is a good thing. But who knows maybe in the future when you have both grown and changed you can start the friendship new. Leave all baggage behind and start from square one.
Or you decide to give them a second chance and let them back in. That can either be the best idea ever or the worst. They have either changed or they haven’t. If they come back changed your friendship can thrive and become stronger. Or they may not have changed and you might have to go through losing them again. That hurts much worse the second time. But if the friendship does work and you have your best friend back it's an amazing feeling. Your best friend, number one cheerleader, and secret keeper is back.
In the end you need to be able to decide what is best for you and your life. That may mean losing a friend. Or taking a break and coming back stronger. Only you can decide what way works best for you and the person in question. No one else can make that choice for you. You are in charge of your friendships. Which means you are in charge of fixing friendships or ending them. It is all up to you.
