To the Girl I Thought Was My Best Friend for Life,

Best friends, each other's "other halves," the only one who understands me. That’s how I used to describe us. We knew everything about each other. But then all of a sudden, we didn’t. Communication stopped and it feels like I’ve lost a part of my heart. I would ask what happened, but I think I already know.

We used to tell each other everything. We knew the best and the worst parts of each other. You were there for me in my darkest moments and helped me overcome them. You helped me realize one person was not worth spending so much time on after that person did nothing but hurt me. You stood up for me when I needed it the most. And I was there for you whenever you needed me. When I needed someone to text, I could always count on you.

We’ve known each other for a really long time — ever since elementary school. Neither of us would be who we are today without each other. We had a falling out for a few years when we were growing up, but then during a Super Bowl party, you came up to me and we reconnected like nothing ever happened.

I want you to know that I miss you. I hate this distance between us. But every time I attempt to text you, I end up erasing what I’ve typed and closing the app. What hurts more than the distance is the feeling that your priorities have changed. I feel like you got involved in something you’re passionate about that maybe I didn’t totally agree with and got frustrated with me, and this passion of yours has replaced me. I’m not going to hide that I don't see eye to eye with you, but I hate that that has put a damper on our friendship. It never stopped us before.

I need you to know that even though I’m not on the same page as you, I still remain one of your biggest cheerleaders. I still love you — nothing is ever going to change that. I would love to know what you’re thinking, but there is an ever-present silence coming from you as well.

I don’t say this too often, but I really hope I’m wrong about all of this. I hope that we haven’t permanently fallen out of sync. I hope this is fixable. I hope you’re just as curious as I am. I hate thinking about us in the past tense, but every day, it seems more and more that that’s where we are. We were once attached at the hip, now I haven’t seen you at all this summer. Despite that, I still think about you every day.

I just want to know one thing: can we move from past tense to present tense? Has too much happened (or not happened)?

I miss you and I love you. Every day. Always.