For years we had a clique. Our group was together every weekend. Nothing got past us. There was always someone there for dinner dates. Group messages were always my favorite, with daily "good morning" messages and funny memes or a screen shots that someone took of one of the others. Every Friday night we were all together, trying to find a place to get a couple of drinks. We were all there for one another. We didn't have to face anything is this world alone. We were "the group." Everywhere I went, people would say something about my group.

Then all of a sudden, we drifted.

I haven't heard from some of them in months. The texts stopped coming in. Relationships started to form outside of our group, and other connections fell apart within the group.

We dated within the group, so when couples broke up, we lost some of the relationships. Looking back, I see now that the "great" friendships I had were only strictly there out of convenience. Some girls who I thought would always be there only existed because their boyfriend was around.

It's sad. But, it happens every day to more than just my group. Our drifting wasn't solely due to the lack of convenience. We all took different paths in this world. We grew apart because some of us grew up. School took us in different directions. Long nights of drinking till the sun came out wasn't more important than being on time and focusing on class. Building a better life was a part of some of our goals, but not a part of others. Getting to work on time instead of showing up late with a hangover was no longer worth it. I don't blame you. Truly I don't. I will chase money till the day I die. At the same time, I can be there on time better than others. I also had a kid. I wasn't the only one who was starting a family, either. Instead of turning up during late nights, we had to learn to turn down with sippie cups and Disney channel.

Although we grew up, real relationships don't just fall apart. We stick there to be with each other through all the good in our lives. We motivate one another to accomplish all the things we want to do, no matter if those friends are in our plans or not. Real relationships don't just frizzle out because we aren't going down the same roads.

Ask yourself this question next time you are counting your blessings about your friendships: who is really there? Who really is there for you at the end of the day when all else fails? When worlds start to drift, who still wants to reach out and support you? Who will take the time to let you know they are there for you?

I had to look around and see who was there for my son and me, who would always be there for the ups and downs life brings, who was there for me when I thought I was all alone. I'm not saying that you have to talk to someone every day to maintain a friendship. Lord knows I'm the queen of busy. It's seeing someone upset or down and taking the two seconds to let them know you love them.

I hate that my past friendships are lost like New Years resolutions I thought I'd always keep. It is life. I do wish you all well. I wish you all the best in the darkest times you face. I wish your family the best always. I hope that you know that if you are ever faced with hurt in breakups, almost losing a parent, the best in planning for your weddings, and happiness in watching your kids grow, I'll be there. I'm here If you ever need me.

Always and forever, Amen.