I remember the stress of senior year – balancing AP courses, applying to colleges, filling out the dreaded FAFSA and then waiting anxiously to see if we got accepted into our top schools. I remember prom and graduation and the cute Polaroids I forced us all to take for keepsake memories. I remember the last day, signing each others’ yearbooks, writing that we would promise to stay in touch. But most of all, even after going our separate ways, I still remember my friends who made it all worth it, helping each other through the rough times. I remember all of our laughs and great memories, late nights finishing homework and the countless number of times we went to my favorite bubble tea place.

Never did I expect for us to stop talking. Like, ever. I know we don’t talk anymore, but maybe it’s for the better.

Despite the fact that we are not in contact with each other anymore, I want you to know that I think about you every day and how you’re doing. I want you to know that I wonder how your first year of college went. I want you to know that I would love to catch up and hear all about what you’ve been up to, instead of just reading updates from Facebook. I want you to know that even though we don’t talk anymore, if you ever need someone to just talk to or listen, I’m always a text or phone call away. I want you to know that I want to tell you what crazy things happened to me this past year. I want you to know that I’m doing well.

I miss talking to you. I miss laughing with you. I miss going out to eat at our favorite restaurants. I miss seeing you every day. I miss talking to you about drama and boys. I miss our summer nights wandering around the streets of Boston together. But most importantly, I want you to know that I truly miss you.

It’s not like we planned to stop talking, it just happened one day. It’s been months, and I often I think about messaging you, but I don’t know how you would react.

You’re out there doing your thing, and I’m here doing mine, and somehow we drifted apart in between. We all went to different colleges and started a new chapter in our lives. Starting it without you there by my side was tough, but I made it. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, I hope you’re happy and accomplishing your goals and everything you set your mind to. I’m still here, cheering for you on the sidelines.