"My old friend, I recall
The times we had hanging on my wall
I wouldn't trade them for gold
Cause they laugh and they cry me
Somehow sanctify me
They're woven in the stories I have told
And tell again..." ("My Old Friend" by Tim McGraw)

Hi there,

I have been thinking about you lately. It seems to happen every summer, during the time we once spent together bathing in the sun and dreading returning to high school.

Do you remember those days? Times were so much simpler then.

I know it's been a while since we've talked. About a year, maybe, since our last exchange of cordial emails. But much longer since we have actually spoken in person.

I hope you're well. I've heard that you are.

"My old friend, I apologize
For the years that have passed
Since the last time you and I
Dusted off those memories
But the running and the races
The people and the places
There's always somewhere else I had to be
Time gets slim, my old friend..."

I was aimlessly scrolling through Facebook a few days ago when your name popped up in the comments on a mutual friend's photo. Your last name is different, I noticed. Of course I noticed.

Recently, I've spoken to a few of our mutual friends about your upcoming wedding. I was never told details; only that the big day would be in August.

And recently, I prayed for you. I prayed for him. I prayed for your marriage and prayed that everything would go smoothly for you on that day, the day we used to speak of so often.

Remember lying on our beds scrolling through endless Pinterest photos of ideal wedding dresses and beautiful venues? We picked out our dream engagement rings and chose the colors we wanted our grooms to wear. We were both such planners, intent on making sure that even our daydreams were flawless.

Your daydream has now become a reality. I hope it was better than you ever imagined it would be.

You know what else I've been thinking? How you always knew that day would include him.

You said it hundreds of times, whether the two of you were together or separated. You said you couldn't ever picture yourself standing at the end of an aisle in front of a preacher without him by your side. You wouldn't even allow yourself to think of it.

You always knew.

Though circumstances, time and distance have changed and separated us, I have nothing but love and respect for you. I cherish the memories we share. I will never forget that summer we spent together. We were absolutely inseparable. Road trips to camp with friends, late night Taco Bell runs, cheer camp, you getting pulled over, dealing with our respective heartbreaks and our family woes: these and so many more moments flash through my mind often. I look back on them now with fondness instead of sadness.

And I hope you remember them, too.

"My old friend, this song's for you
Cause a few simple verses
Was the least that I could do
To tell the world that you were here
Cause the love and the laughter
Will live on long after
All of the sadness and the tears
We'll meet again, my old friend..."

Two years ago, you wrote me, "You were and will always be one of the best friends I have ever had." I can say exactly the same. Despite all of the incredible, solid friendships I've developed since we went our separate ways, I've never found a friend quite like you. I'm not sure that I ever will, and that's okay. It makes me cherish you and reminds me to thank the Lord for those He has given me, even if just for a short time.

Though things will never be the same for us, I still hold a special place for you in my soul. I am so thankful for the season of my life that included you.

With love,

Your Former Best Friend