I take the title "best friend" pretty seriously. I've always been the type of person who thought that you can't just call everyone your best friend. That's not to say that you can't have more than one because you totally can. But if you refer to literally all of your friends as your "best friend," are any of them really?

Growing up, I was friends with this girl who people referred to as my best friend. I'll refer to her as A. We went to elementary, junior high, and eventually high school together. We were close. She came over to my house practically every day. Yet, I always felt like there was something a little off with our relationship, especially when it came closer to its end. The fact of the matter was, our relationship was no good. I'm not going to get into details out of respect for her, but it was toxic, and it had been that way from the very start.

After our falling out, I felt relieved. It was only my second year in high school, though, and I started to feel a sense of a loss when I saw other girls and their best friends. People who'd known each other for years and were still as close as could be. I felt like I had this empty place inside because I didn't have a best friend anymore. I missed the good times I had had with A - yes, there were definitely good times. There were great times. I won't deny that because that wouldn't be the truth. She knew me better than a lot of people - better than most. We had so many inside jokes and things we could only tell each other about, and all of that was just gone. I don't regret distancing myself from her, but I really missed the positive things about having her as a best friend.

There were a few times where I'd meet people and I'd think maybe I found a new best friend. I'd found someone who could accept me and just get me, you know? I remember specifically a time where I was with this girl who I had gotten to be really good friends with, and she started straight making fun of me for something that I really liked. I felt a little heartbroken, to be honest. I realized she didn't get me, not how my ex-best friend had, at least.

Then, I met my current best friend. We were so different, I honestly hadn't thought we would get to be so close. But we fit. We understood each other and got each other, and even though I haven't known her my whole life, I feel like I have. She's honestly the best, and I couldn't imagine my life without her.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that best friends are special. They're people you should cherish, and even if you part ways, it's okay to keep the good memories you had with them.