It seems that open letters are the new trend now, aren't they? I guess since it's becoming more acceptable to open up with articles such as this one, I'm going to take the opportunity to get something off of my chest. Well, here goes.

To the best friend who left me,

It's been forever, hasn't it? I hope you are doing well wherever you are right now. I'm doing just fine, actually, better than I'd ever imagine I'd be. I'm going to the school of my dreams and I'm just finishing up the semester and about to enjoy a well-deserved summer break, and really I don't understand why I'm bringing up the past thinking about you, but considering that college is a time for breaking old ties and creating new ones, I'd thought I'd bury this dead horse for good.

It all started out on the bus in fifth grade when neither of us had anyone else to sit with. We chatted about Sailor Moon and American Girl Dolls and ended up becoming the best of friends. Both of us kind of social pariahs (me being a teacher's pet, you, a shy girl), we opened up to each other and it seemed like our bond could never be broken. But of course, life has a way of throwing us curve-balls. What used to be us playing Frogger in your basement and making up secret handshakes suddenly turned cold after the summer you moved during middle school. I just want to ask the question, though it probably will never be answered, and that's okay. But still, I wonder: What happened? Though it may seem petulant to dwell over things that happened so long ago when we were so young, memories like this still hurt and it lead me to ask myself if there was something wrong with me? When friendships cease so abruptly, you can't help but wonder what went wrong.

I knew that you were moving to another part of town, but at that time we had both agreed to stay in touch. As the weeks passed and no word came from you, I started sending you e-mails (yeah, that was definitely long ago), asking why you wouldn't talk to me. As the summer went on, I found myself on the other end of the phone being told off by your mother that you were studying and couldn't talk to me. Eventually, I received a heartbreaking e-mail explaining that you didn't want to talk to me anymore and that we were no longer friends. I was devastated. At that moment, the twelve-year-old me that was usually so bright and wanted to be friends with everyone had a harsh reality check. Sure, it took me a long time to get over the fact that you had just suddenly disappeared, but I tried to convince myself that my memories of our friendship would just fade away, but they didn't. You still lived close by and every now and then I would see you and we would awkwardly greet each other and I would pretend like I wasn't hurt by what happened. I can only imagine how cringe-inducing it must have been when you ran into my mom at the store and have no idea what to say after she greeted you and asked how you and your family were doing. Trust me, I would have been the same way had it been me.

So now really, what I guess I've wanted to say all along is that even though I'll probably never understand the reasons for why you left me, it's okay. I've made some amazing new friends and I'm ready to live my life to the fullest. Sure, I've had some challenges along the way but I've come out stronger. Maybe with a few scars, but still, stronger. Our time has passed and although I'll probably still think about you every now and then, I'm thinking about you less and less and I think that's the best for both of us. What friendship we once had was good for the time that we had it, but thankfully there is a season for everything, and right now I feel like it's my springtime, because I'm blooming. In the best ways possible.

I wish you all the best, and I hope you find your springtime, too.