Friends come and go. However, there are some friends in your life that leave but have left their mark on you.
High School was a very rough patch for me like it is for most girls. I ended up meeting one of the sweetest girls named Emily in one of my classes. Little did I know she would be my best friend in high school.
We had similar personalities and that is probably why we clicked. Emily was bubbly and quirky. She was the center of attention in the room and never shy. She spoke her mind and was brave. She was everything I wanted to be. I told her all my secrets, shared laughs, took vacations, and created memories. We had chorus together as well as several other classes throughout my high school years and I could always count on her.
There was not just one thing that pulled us away from each other. I decided to try and graduate early, which I was successful in. We were so alike and stubborn that we fought like sisters. We had this huge fight on our last vacation together and that really severed our ties.
I always wonder if she remembers me. I wonder if she remembers my secrets, those memories we created, those jokes we had, or even the nicknames for one another. I wonder if Emily knows how much she meant to me and how much she helped and motivated me for those three years. If you are reading this Emily, I hope you are doing well and wish you nothing but the best. I hope you know I will never forget you or the friendship we had.
College is a whole different ballpark. I knew almost no one in my class and to make it even worse I am a year and sometimes two younger than the class I entered in with. I met my best friend in college named Michael my sophomore year of college. In a weird way, Michael was my everything. We spent almost everyday together, our free time hanging out, and a lot of meals together. I told Michael literally everything about me and received no judgment. He could make me smile and laugh in an instant. Michael was the very definition of a best friend. I really thought we’d be best friends until we were old.
I ended up leaving school to do the Disney College Program for my spring semester. Michael was from Florida so it was easy to see him away from school. I felt alone without my best friend(s), but he made several appearances. Michael’s family was one of the sweetest families I have ever met. They took me in for holidays and always opened up their home to me. It got to the point where I considered Michael my family.
However, when I got back from Disney something happened and Michael and I drifted apart. Some of it was selfish reasons but once we talked it out our friendship died. I was devastated and hurt. I remember laughing in the car on the way to cookout with him. I remember taking a random beach trip at 11 o’clock at night with him and several others. I remember playing cards at his mom and dads house and dying the next morning. I remember going to Disney World. I remember annoying him by texting him the time. I just wonder if he ever thinks of me. I wonder if he ever misses our friendship like I do. I wonder if he ever sees old pictures and misses the times we had.
I have learned that people grow and change and some friendships do not last. However, if it was not for Emily, I would have not survived high school without her. I would have never survived college without Michael. So thank you to those two. You both taught me so much and I treasure our memories. I wish you both best of luck and maybe our paths will cross again one day. I miss you both and keep you both in my heart.