To my best friend’s college friends:
When my best friend and I made the decision to go to the same university, it sounded like the best way to preserve our relationship. I knew that we would leave for college, live together in the same dorm and I knew we would find new friends to make memories with. What I didn’t know, is how your new found relationship would make me feel.
She and I have drifted apart since coming to this university and I won't sugar coat this: I've become so upset by this fact, that there have been a few times where I've considered transferring to a different university. For a while, I hated you. I hated seeing you on adventures I dreamt about going on with her, I hated that she began going to you for advice or venting, and most of all, I hated that I'm no longer the reason she smiles so much.
We've met, crossed paths, hung out as many times as I can count on my right hand. I've seen you in her Instagram photos, her Snapchat stories, and you've come up numerous times in the few conversations we've had. I know it might come off odd as a complete stranger having something to say to you, but I have a few things that have to be said:
I am sorry that I have spent so much time resenting you.
That childish, naive, smart, amazing, beautiful girl you call your friend, well she was my best friend first. I don’t mean to sound like a toddler unwilling to share my teddy bear, but it is how it comes across. Her and I have shared countless inside jokes, she’s been my backbone when I was at my weakest, she’s loved me when I was going through bad times and celebrated the good times with me, so parting ways at the same university is really difficult for me and brings out my bad side.
As we started college and life began getting busier, I became lesser and you became more. For a long time I blamed you for stealing her from me, for replacing me. I've since realized that it wasn't your fault, but a result of distance and time spent apart.
Don’t get me wrong though, although I have envied your time with her, I am also so thankful for your place in her life.
You see, the night before I was to move into our dorm, we talked about all the things we were going to do when we were there. We talked about how much fun it was going to be to get to eat lunch and dinner together, to join clubs together, to take classes together, to do literally everything together. When things didn't go as planned, and she met you, I fell apart.
After experiencing the sadness of the growing distance between us, I prayed she’d find someone like you to fill her college years with unforgettable memories since I could no longer fulfill the role. I wanted so badly for you to come into her life, I just didn’t know then how jealous I would feel when you did eventually come along.
Now that you’re here though, and here to stay, I must come to terms with your role in her life. As her best friend from home, I ask you fulfill the role I cannot fill while we’re apart--even if it means becoming her new best friend.
Protect her from the lousy people she’ll chase because she is so naive and can't pick out a bad seed like I can. Be there for her when she gets hurt by them because she was too stubborn to listen to you say that they were a bad idea. Force her to study and complete her homework, but also make sure she remembers to have a good time. When you go out, make sure she doesn’t embarrass herself too much, but also be ready to laugh with her about the foolish things she did when she gets over it, which will probably only be a few moments later due to her ten second rebound rate. When you get into a fight with her, be ready for her to want to make up in less than a day no matter the severity because that's just how she is.
Most importantly, though, please treasure every moment spent with her.
Whether it’s a night out on the town or a night spent at home watching Netflix, I promise those memories will become precious. I promise you'll never find someone like her. Coming from me, the years will fly by all too quickly and soon you’ll be separating for your new adventures just like we did.
Love always,
Her Best Friend from Home
