When I was younger, I used to think that having a lot of friends was the most important thing. I used to think that the more friends I had in my circle, the happier I would be. I used to think that having lots of friends would place more value on my self-worth.

But what I have learned to accept throughout the years is that with time, people change. I have realized that as we change, the things we used to value also change and the people in our lives change with them.

It's true that losing friends hurts. When we look at it, we sometimes think it's all our fault. We think back on all the memories and secrets we shared and ask, why did it have to end?

But it's true that not all things are meant to last. Many people come into our lives to serve a purpose and teach us something about ourselves. The friends that are no longer part of my life have taught me what I want for myself and have taught me to value friendship. Even though we are no longer friends I want to thank them for being there for me.

To all my ex-friends along the way, I want to say thank you.

Thank you for giving me a shoulder to cry on when I was going through a scary time in my life. Thank you to the one who kept me company through all four years of high school. Thank you for getting me through my first year of college. Thank you for being spontaneous when I was cautious (I needed that balance). Thank you for sharing your family with mine. And thank you for making me feel wanted and important.

Even though we are no longer friends, I have learned a lot from you. I will forever cherish the memories we shared. Thank you for teaching me about myself and about the hardships of life. You have taught me to value every moment and it is because of our past friendship that I truly value the people I have in my life right now and am able to really value where I am in my life. So for that, I want to say thank you, next.