I haven’t spoken to you in years. Our lives have taken different paths, and honestly, you probably won’t even see this, but I never got to thank you or tell you how much your friendship meant to me.

I was a weird kid. After being homeschooled and immensely sheltered, once I arrived at a public school in the third grade, I didn't possess many of the basic social skills elementary schoolers needed in order to make friends. Of course, it didn’t help that I had my growth spurt way too early and towered over everyone else, unintentionally intimidating my classmates. Needless to say, I was a bit of a loner. I’m not saying this to create a pity party, but rather to give you perspective.

When you came to my school, you gave me life. You understood popular culture, and you fluttered through our fellow classmates like the social butterfly you were. You didn’t laugh at me when I proudly showed you my very first music album, Hannah Montana 3, in the 5th grade (even though your music taste was way cooler than mine). You didn’t judge me when I wanted to stand by the fence at recess each and every day because I was scared of talking to the other children. You stood with me. I was honored that you chose me to be your friend.

Our friendship grew, and you forced me out of my shell. Slowly but surely, I gained the confidence to walk up to my classmates and start a conversation. Through you, I learned how to navigate those conversations to form connections. I began to get to know others while allowing them to know me, and I was finally able to make friends of my own.

As middle school approached, I let you know that I had everything planned out: what classes we would take, potential plans for hanging out after school, and even how we would decorate our lockers so that we would match. I was so excited for the upcoming year.

And then you told me you were moving away.

We lost contact after the 5th grade. I didn’t have your phone number, and once I did see you again, a couple years later, we just didn’t connect like we used to. I’m not upset that things played out as they have. I know that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be, and I hope that you are off doing great things as well. I only want you to know that you came into my life when I was in desperate need of a friend, and I will forever be grateful. Although I’m still my awkward self, your friendship gave me the confidence to spread my wings, which has led me to the friends I treasure today.

So, thank you.