When you are little, it feels as if everything is right in the world. Before you "grow up", everything is simple. You have your specific best friends that you go to school with, sit by at lunch time, and see all the time on the weekends.

This six year friendship started in middle school as we began to do everything together. It was almost as if we were a package deal, you couldn't invite one of us without knowing the other was going to come.

One day I began to realize that you weren't the same person I had met six years ago. I'm not saying I hadn't changed either, but I began to realize that I was more worried about your approval than I was about my own life. My breaking point was when I realized I was scared of you. I was scared to say something that would make you mad because you could be so mean. I was scared to tell you how I felt or stick up for myself when you continued to walk all over me. This was the end, and I knew it. We both did. Was I sure of my choice to break off this friendship that had once meant the world to me? Not at all. But eventually I was happy. Happier than I ever could have been as your friend.

The day our friendship ended, a war began. We both made mistakes but you began to focus on making sure I didn't get through one day without feeling miserable. You began to bully me. Not just teasing or gossiping about me, but literally doing anything in your power to make me feel like I didn't belong here. I don't understand how everything changed so drastically. There were many days spent crying in the bathroom after you began to do this to me. I will never fully understand what happened to my once-sweet best friend.

I wonder what happened to you. Life got to you and changed you into a new person, and I understand that... but I still wonder why.

Every once in awhile your name will come up at dinner, and my mom will say, "Don't you ever miss her?" The thing is, I don't. I don't miss you. I missed having a best friend for awhile, but then I found that in someone who really cared, and now I'm okay. I am better than okay.

I don't miss you but it isn't because I hate you, or because I don't want you to be happy, but because for once I can live my life in a way that feels free for the first time in six years. I don't have to worry about making you like me. I don't have to worry about gaining your approval or what you are thinking. I don't have to be scared of you and your harsh opinions anymore. I have been set free. Set free from the worries your friendship required.

The thing is, this is a thank you letter for a reason. When you broke my heart, you also built me up.

Without meeting you, I never would have found the inner strength that was hidden so deep inside of me. You broke me down until I had nothing left, and at that point I was forced to be strong. Our friendship, or lack there of, lead me to finding myself. I learned to stand up for myself for the first time and I can finally say I am proud of the woman I am becoming.

Thank you for allowing me to be on my own, which was the time I needed to find myself. Today, I know that I am strong. Without you, I was able to meet so many new people, and get involved in everything I couldn't have as your friend. Thank you for leaving me to myself.

Something you don't know, is that I honestly wish you the best. I hope you are happy (and not in a sarcastic way). You may have been terrible to me, but there is still a reason you were my best friend for so many years. To be honest, without you hurting me, I would have never met the friends I have now who will be by my side forever.

The point is, the day our friendship ended, I thought everything was over for me. The funny thing is, it was the day I began to be myself, and be happy. I am truly happy. I have my new friends, and created a future for myself with the time I had to work hard for everything I want in life.

Thank you, ex best friend, for changing my life...even if I once thought it was for the worst.