Hey You,
It’s so weird to think that we basically saw each other grow up. Our playdates turned into hanging out at the mall and downtown, which turned into school dances and small parties, which also turned into us going away to different places for college and experiencing life in so many exciting ways. We traded our stuffed animals and dress-up bins for make up and formal dresses. Soon, we were texting and being annoying to each other on social media (2010 Facebook was not a good time). We left our weekly sleepovers in the neighborhood behind for vacations with our friends, yet we still stayed up all night talking. We no longer live in the same little town but I want you to know I have fond memories of us growing up together and being best friends. I’m so proud of how far you’ve come and I am so happy we are still friends. It’s safe to say that you’re bridesmaid material. I’ll always thank you for all the good times and for always being there waiting to catch up when I come back home for breaks.
Somewhere along the path of growing up and living life, boys also made their way into the list. What used to be cooties, crushes, and victims of our awful M.A.S.H games became something more real and maybe even sustainable. There was so much that we didn’t know about. It was difficult being vulnerable to another person who wasn’t a “best girl friend.” Now that we are older, these relationships become so much more real. Our parents scare us with the fact that a lot of people meet their spouses at college. It’s so weird to know that some of the people we have been involved with are people who didn’t grow up in our hometown so we had no idea where they came from. Even though we tell each other about every guy and every little detail, I still don’t and probably won’t actually know him. Most of the time, we don’t know the guys in our lives whether it be a boyfriend or friend. So, because of that it may make us all a bit nervous about who those guys may be and if they will treat us well.
There have been guys in the past for both you and me who have given us every reason to build the walls higher and to maybe be a little cynical toward the whole relationship thing. At 14, you had your first crush. At 16, you had your first real date to a formal. At 17, you experienced a first real relationship and then your first heartbreak. After every one of these milestones, I was there for you.
At 18, we decided that it was “the time to be single.” Our first get-together after our freshmen year was full of us encouraging each other that being single is awesome. At 20, we are no longer new to the college (or the boy) game. We’ve all established people at home and at school and the world is no longer just our back yard and our M.A.S.H crushes. Cooties are no longer our main concern and there are so many other things that come into play with guys.
Like I always say, I’m always a phone call away with whatever happens. You can always come to me with good or bad news (even though I always hope its happy stories about a new guy). I hope you know that your worth is never determined or influenced by how the people around you treat you or make you feel. Especially with a guy, never ever settle because you deserve the world. Don’t put your everything into a guy from the start because you have way too much to offer to just settle. Trust me, he’s the lucky one. Put him in his place, don’t be too shy, and YOU call the shots always. I hope he treats you well, sees your value, and respects you always (if not he has several angry girls to deal with). I hope he gets to know everything about you and appreciate you even when you have your moments.
There are some things that you have to go off and experience on your own especially when it comes to this kind of stuff, but I’ll always be close by if you need advice or someone to talk to. Of course we aren’t 17 anymore, but I can’t promise that heartbreak won’t ever happen again. I hope that you always have the strength and courage to stand firm in a relationship or recognize when it may no longer be healthy. We don’t know him but we see how he affects you; and I’m sure he’s a keeper and I hope that I can meet him one day!
Love Always,
Your Friend
Sources:
http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/cms/CW/Couples/13457-couple-leaning-on-…
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/f0/53/36/f05336d68b9e25368af4c…