You were my classmates, my teammates and my childhood friends. We spent hours together on the court. We complained about our calculus homework with each other. We maybe even played together at recess in elementary school. But as we’ve started this new chapter of our lives, we’ve grown apart. I moved across the country to attend college, and you’ve moved on with your life as well. You’re about to graduate from high school and embark on a new adventure. You enrolled in college at home or out of state. You got a great job after graduating. You’re starting a family of your own.

I want you to know that I haven’t forgotten about you just because we’ve gone our separate ways. We may not speak as often as we used to or we may not have spoken all year, but I still remember you. I remember that you joined the military to serve our country, and I know that you’ll be outstanding. I remember that you went to college to become an engineer, or a teacher, or a user experience designer, and I’m certain that you’ll be a great one. But before you go off and become successful, or maybe even famous, there are some things that I want you to know.

I still keep up with you.

Whether it be through social media or mutual friends, I still keep up with you. I may or may not have snooped on the Facebook page of that guy in several of your pictures. I had to make sure that he was good enough for you. I watched the live feeds of your sporting events, and when I couldn’t watch them, I made sure to check the school’s website to see how you did. I read your blog posts every chance I get. And I may not have told you, but you looked absolutely stunning in the pictures from your sorority formal. I’m so glad that you seem to be doing well.

I’m so happy for you.

We may not speak very frequently, but I’m still so happy for you and your accomplishments. I was so excited for you when you decided to change your major. I think it suits you really well. I loved looking at your wedding pictures and the pictures of your baby. They’re beautiful and your baby is adorable! I was truly happy to see pictures of you acting, or dancing, or competing in the sport that you love at the next level. It seems like you’re really loving life. It makes me smile to see pictures of you doing marvelous things with your new friends. I truly am so happy for you and what you have become.

I’m incredibly proud of you.

Even though I may not tell you, I am so proud of the person that you have become and the things that you have chosen to do with your life. You joined the Corps and have turned into such an inspirational young adult. You’re taking courses in hopes of becoming a designer at IBM. You’re so talented. You’ve done a fantastic job of raising your child despite negativity from the community. I can’t wait to see the person that they become later in life. Your artistic abilities never fail to astound me. Your involvement in your community inspires me and, I assume, everyone around you. You’ve done such extraordinary things in a short period of time, and I’m genuinely proud to call you my friend.

I wish you the best.

We may never see each other again, though I hope our paths cross once more at some point. However, if we don’t meet again, I wanted to say that I wish you the best. I know that you’ll be amazing doing whatever it is that you choose to do in life. You’ll be the best nurse, or ship captain, or physical therapist, or interior designer that the world has ever seen. Your passion and enthusiasm for life will enable you to become as successful as you could ever imagine, and I look forward to seeing the incredible things that you achieve during the next chapters of your life.