People come into our lives on a daily basis. Most every day we encounter someone new, and on occasion these newbies end up being a huge part of our lives. They swoop into our lives and things begin to form. Friendships form, relationships form, and then, sometimes, it lasts forever… and sometimes they walk out of your life. They didn’t care as much as you did, they didn’t value your presence in their life, and you’re left behind wondering what you did wrong, what you could have done to make the ending different. That’s the thing, though, more often than not… it’s not you. Months later, you realize this, you move on with your life, but from time to time they still come to mind… and though they’ll never admit it, they think of you too.
If you've ever had this happen to you, then you have a few things to say. If you are one of those people then, well, you have a few things to hear. So, here I am. A voice to say things that one side hasn't ever been able to say, and that one side desperately needs to hear.
Hello Old Friend,
I know you remember me -- saying you don’t is a joke because we both know the level of friendship we once had. Being whatever exactly it was that we were was one of the happiest times of my life. I loved talking to you all the time, I loved laughing with you like best friends, and I even loved fighting like an old married couple from time to time. That was just what we did in that goofy little “almost" relationship that we had. You were one of my best friends, one of my most trusted confidants, and I never thought a day would come that we didn't talk anymore.
What we had was wonderful, until you up and left. No reasoning, no goodbye, you just left. Oh, how I missed you. I missed you all the time. I checked my phone constantly hoping your name would come up. I cried when I needed someone and I couldn’t call you anymore. I was hurt when my messages stopped sending because my phone number was blocked. All I wanted was an explanation, all I wanted was a reason to know why I wasn’t even deserving of a reason. All I wanted was my best friend back.
Looking back, the next month was hard. I’m not gonna lie, it’s still tough sometimes when I hear that song you always loved so much. It’s hard when I watch our favorite baseball team play, knowing that you’re doing the same thing. It’s just hard to know that your life is going just fine without me, but then I remember… so is mine.
I need you to know that I’m thankful for the times we had, for our friendship, for having the opportunity to know someone like you. I need you to know that I wish you the best in life, in love, and in everything you’ve ever dreamed of accomplishing. I need you to know that I still care about you, because you will always have a part of my life. I need you to know that I’m not angry, not anymore. Most of all, I need you to know that I’m just fine without you.
Life without you was hard to begin with, but as time has gone on… the good has drastically outweighed the bad. I’ve met new people who have become the most amazing friends I could ever ask for. I’ve come so far in school, and I’m on the verge of making a huge difference in the world. My relationship with Christ is stronger than it has ever been. I’m living my life to the fullest, making the most of my college years, and more than anything… I’m happy, just like you always wanted me to be. It's just hard to accept that I'm happy without you.
Maybe one day, you’ll give me a call, you’ll send me a text, and we’ll catch up. Maybe one day we’ll be like we used to be, we’ll be friends, and we’ll laugh together. I would love that, because I still miss you. Until then, though, I need you to know that I’m happy, because life without you isn’t as hard as I thought it would be. Because, well, even though I’m still loving and missing you, I’ve learned that I’m not needing you.
I never did need you, because I'm just fine without you.
The Friend You Left Behind
