Everyone has experienced the pain of drifting apart with friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, and even some loved ones. But what if half the pain is caused by our own resistance to this inevitable part of life? Some people are just not meant to be in your life forever. Instead of fighting to keep these "meant to leave" people around, let them go.

This picture seriously resonates with me right now, probably a result of college graduation looming over me. It brings up a question I've been asking myself often lately: "Why are people terrified of drifting apart?"

My rational, sometimes overly-honest, self doesn't always understand why humans feel so strongly about this topic. Do teenagers/young adults really believe they are going to remain close with every single friend for the rest of their lives?

People move to new cities, go to different schools, meet new people, acquire "big kid" jobs, get married, have kids... In short, people change.

If two friends don't stay the best of friends through all of these changes is anyone really to blame? No. [Unless one person actually did something to damage the friendship, but that's a different story to write about.]

Like the picture above says, some people are meant to leave and when you have nothing left to give someone, you are going to treat them differently. This is exactly why I believe holding on to a person who is meant to leave only does the entire friendship a disservice. Negative thoughts tend to come out, one person always feels like they are trying harder than the other person to make the friendship last, and more often than not, someone leaves the friendship feeling bitter or angry. To end a once loving, fulfilling, near-perfect friendship on those terms is tragic.

My wish is that people would let friendships go peacefully. This doesn't mean never speaking to a previously close friend ever again. But instead, I think it is more about remembering the special moments, saying you will always be there for that person, and understanding that even though you might not talk for months or years, it is alright. It doesn't mean your friendship failed. It doesn't mean someone was a lesser friend. It doesn't mean there are any ill feelings. It just means life changed.

To my friends who are "meant to leave:" I love you dearly and wish you the very best life has to offer. Just because life caused us to "drift" does not mean I don't appreciate the friend you were to me or the memories we made.

To my friends who are "meant to stay:" I can never tell you how grateful I am for our extremely rare and special friendship that lasts through all of the changes and curve balls life has to offer.