"Friendships That Last" by Elena Goodrow

I’m currently in that weird early twenties stage of life where all my friends are either getting married or having children, or both! While I love seeing people I know bloom into new chapters, I can’t help but feel like I’m losing friendships.

I’ve lost touch with most of my friends from my high school days. Plus, I was homeschooled so it’s not like there were many to begin with. I made efforts to stay in touch with two friends in particular that I cared about greatly. Those efforts were not necessarily reciprocated.

It’s tough, because I understand that life goes on and the past sometimes needs to stay in the past. It’s also hard when someone that you value so greatly doesn’t exactly feel the same way about you.

I lost a dear friend of mine in recent years. I don’t want to go into great detail to respect their privacy, this is the internet after all. Hurtful things were said, and I was told that things I’ve done in my life (as simple as who I love) meant I needed to be pushed away. I felt that this was a lifelong friendship, and unfortunately it did not turn out that way. It was not meant to be, but it still hurts.

The other friend I made sure to stay in touch with, is a much happier story. I got to see her again for the first time in 3 years this week and it was renewing! We have been best friends for 11 years so far and have only gotten closer over time. Even though we don’t talk super often, whenever we do it is as if no time has passed. She is a true friend, our love has only grown. I’m eternally grateful that I can have confidence in this friendship, even when I feel as if I have no friends at times.

Friends can be hard, especially in early adulthood as I’ve come to find out! I’ve learned to not dedicate my love and energy into people that wouldn’t do the same for me. I’ve learned to always stand by the ones that do.