To My High School Best Friend

It’s weird to call you my “high school” best friend, because before you were just my best friend, and that was it. It took me a while to realize that between attending different colleges, pursuing different careers, and living in different places would pin you as that: “my high school best friend.”

I still feel like we are best friends even though I hardly see you. Anytime you post on Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, or Instagram, I have to be the first to like and comment how gorgeous you are. Whenever anyone asks me who my best friend is, you’re still the first one that pops into my head.

When I’m drowning in homework, feeling completely alone, or when boys are just downright stupid, you’re the person I want to talk to. 

When I develop a new crush, get kissed, ace an exam, or am loving life, you’re the person I want to tell.

I also really miss a lot of things about being in high school with you. I miss the feeling of always knowing I had plans on a Friday night because I’d be hanging with you, and knowing that I always had a place at lunch with you at the same time of day; I never had to plan weeks or months in advance to meet up.

The 3 AM “study sessions” where we’d laugh our heads off at random YouTube videos, crying and hugging after vent sessions, knowing that you were in the same building as me every day, inside jokes, secret texts in class, screaming our heads off at football games, scheming to get the attention of each other’s crushes, are (and will always be) some of my favorite memories. 

To be honest, sometimes I get jealous of the new friends you have made because I feel like I’ve been replaced, and I’m sure you sometimes feel that way, too. It’s not that I don’t want you to make new friends, because I do! I want you to meet tons of people, form new relationships, and get the best out of every good thing life has to offer… I just wish I could still be by your side while you do it.

I miss you. But at the same time, I recognize that this is a new chapter in both of our lives. Even though my life is filled with people and experiences that make you, and our high school days feel worlds away, you always have that special place as my forever “ride or die”.

You’re the person I want as my bridesmaid, and the person I want at my kids’ graduations. I know that when we’re old and senile, we’ll still be making jokes because you’re my person! No matter what happens, no matter the distance, you’ll always be so much more than a “high school” best friend.

• best friends
• changes
• college
• growing up
• high school