I didn't know what it would be like to lose you. We became close so quickly for something to easily slip away. Distrust, betrayal and dishonesty caused all those wonderful moments to dissipate. You can never really know how much you care about a person until something causes you to want nothing to do with them. Days will pass, life will continue on and you will realize these people shaped you to now. Ex-best friend, thank you for being there to push me forward.

I didn't know the true meaning of understanding until I met you. Being accepting towards others that were unique became less frightening. I learned to be myself fully with others and defend anyone that might feel shunned as an atypical individual. Every person should have the right to live life without limits. We might not speak anymore, but different is normal. That will never change.

I didn't know about the power of a relationship with God until I met you. I had spent years attending church to please my parents while never getting anything out of the service itself. I began hearing more Bible verses and listening to Christian music for the first time. As a high school student, those things seemed unimportant. Now, I wouldn't be the person I am today without the relationship I began forming with God.

I didn't know positivity until I met you. I used to hide behind invisible walls, always acting like things were alright. I never expressed myself until things were too late. My emotions controlled my life to the point it would keep me down for weeks. Our friendship may have ended toxically, but I became happier from it. I learned to keep others up in hard times. I began seeing the good in others and holding onto positive moments of the day. There is always light at the end of a dark tunnel.

I didn't know moving on was possible until I met you. I used to hold onto previous friendships and relationships for months without emotional capabilities to move on. Things became easier upon understanding that people come and go at certain points of your life. The true people will remain in your life when the time is right. I have encountered many more positive relationships after going down negative paths in the past. It's shaped me into a better, independent individual.

So, thank you, ex-best friend, for the good and bad moments. We may barely speak now or run into each other, but I still care about you. I will never forget the memories of my past. It's time to keep moving on to become a better me. Life might find us in the same place someday, but I will be ready to take on new challenges from learning in the struggles of our past encounter. It's time to be me and feel alright to keep moving forward.