Last week, one of my very best friends and his girlfriend moved to Maine after a lifetime in Indiana. We hung out with them one last time before they left. We went shopping and got frozen yogurt and watched YouTube at my apartment. When they went to leave, we all hugged. His girlfriend cried and I choked on tears. As they walked out the front door of my apartment building, my heart sunk and I wanted to chase after them and tell them repeatedly how much I loved them and I would miss them, but the words weren’t enough.

They’ve been sending me updates of their lives daily, and they’ve continued to keep me in the loop of their lives since the minute they exited Indiana.

A lot of people would be mad at their best friend for leaving them. But I was never mad. You see, since I met my best friend, he has talked about leaving Indiana. It was always his end goal, and his dream. And when he met his girlfriend, they shared a dream of leaving Indiana and I knew that eventually, nothing would be stopping them from leaving.

Finally, the time came for them. And I couldn’t be happier for them. Do I miss them? Hell yes. But I’m also so proud of them.

So to my best friends,

You left without looking back and I’m so proud of you. You achieved your dreams and you got the hell out of this place that suffocated you. You didn’t let anything stop you, you didn’t let anyone stop you. I didn’t want you to go, but I’m so happy you did. I’m so happy for you guys. I hope Maine holds everything you’re searching for. I hope you’re as happy as possible, because even though you’re not her in Indiana with me anymore, I’m still on your team, in your corner, and rooting for you. Even from afar.

You two mean so much to me and I love you both so much. Thank you for always being here for me and having my back even when I didn’t deserve it. I’ll always have your backs, and I’ll always be happy to see you when you visit here, or when we visit there.

I love you and I’m so proud of you.

Love,

Your best friend in Indiana