Through the years, as typical life progresses, you move in and out of friendships and other relationships. Sometimes, it is only part of moving on -- you’ve moved away, you’ve gone to college, you just grow apart. Other times, varying relationships end due to built-up issues, clashing personalities, or a big blowout fight. I have gone through different types of ending relationships, for better or worse. This is a letter to some of the people with whom I am no longer friends:

Dear Ex-Friends,

This letter is something I wish I had the guts to say to you in person. First and foremost, I would like to say I’m sorry. If our friendship ended because of me or something I did to you, I apologize. In the time that has passed between us ending our friendship and now, I’ve grown and changed. I’ve learned to better keep myself in check with my effect on and treatment of others. Now, if the tables were turned, and you were the one who wronged me, I would like to finally admit in writing that I forgive you. I may (or may not) have been torn up about what you did at some point, but I have an incredible safety net of friends and family to help me through the difficult time. I have come to the conclusion (with much help) that it is better to forgive and move on than let it fester in my heart. I shouldn’t let what happened between us in the past affect me or other relationships I have with people now and in the future. So, with a willing and genuine attitude, I forgive you.

I would also like to say, thank you. Thank you for never asking how I’m doing, and teaching me that my real friends do care how I’m doing. Thank you for giving me something amazing. The friendship (probably) wasn’t all horrible, and I will miss the fun times and unforgettable memories we had together. I get a little nostalgic sometimes but am reminded also that this friendship ending was for the better. Thank you for showing me to look internally in a problem as well as externally, and for unknowingly teaching me forgiveness, for unknowingly teaching me that forgiveness does not necessarily mean you must re-enter my life. And most of all, thank you for helping me get from one place to the next. You played a part in my life, no matter how small, good or bad. You have led me straight into the arms of my amazing current friends that I would trade for the world. You gave me the opportunity to create and build on other friendships and relationships outside of us. So, thank you.

Sincerely,

Emma