Why do childhood friends disappear when college starts?

Honestly, I have no idea what you’re up to right now, or what you’ve been up to for the past couple of months, and that’s a weird concept for me to understand. But I’ve grown to become okay with not knowing what you’re doing. Considering I’ve spent the large majority of my life seeing you at least 5 days a week, one could imagine how different “long distance” has made it.

But even I hadn’t considered it to be “long distance” until now.

First semester of college always seems to be a blur for people. Everything went by so fast and then all of a sudden I found myself home for winter break and already wishing I was back at school. When you graduate highs chool, you think your friend group will stay the same, and coming home will be focussed on seeing everyone again. But turns out, that isn’t exactly what happens.

My home is no longer limited to the small town we both grew up it, in fact my new home doesn’t even have you in it.

But that’s OK, because good news is, we’re both happier than we’ve ever been before.

I can tell you are finally with the people who will stay for a lifetime, and I know I have found my own people here too. I chose the campus best for me, and you did the same, but now we’re miles apart. I’m proud to be a Hawkeye, and I wouldn’t change that for the world. And even though your campus is much different than mine, I know you’re getting the same type of love there.

I want you to know that I still care, and I most likely always will.

This year our communication has been at a minimum, and honestly I’m not really sure why. But after talking to the same person for over a decade, it’s probably okay that we expanded our horizons. It’s actually quite ridiculous how much of life we experienced together.

We shared the stress of starting middle school, shared the excitement of our first high school dance, and shared the heartbreak of finding out that boy wasn’t really all that great. Life’s different now though, and even though I only see you on holiday break, sometimes, it still feels like enough.

So here comes the extra sappy stuff.

I am so incredibly proud of you. Although I am no longer a part of your day to day life, I have seen what you have done over the course of this school year. I’m glad you love the college you chose, and I’m glad you have your new friends there. In high school I always thought friends were the people you hung out with and saw everyday, and for the most part that’s true. But I’ve come to realize that what you and I share is a different kind of friendship, it’s more about feeling than it is about location.

Never in the many years of knowing you have I doubted your potential. You’re going to do great things one day and you’re going to change lives. And even if I’m not there to share the victories with you, know that I’m cheering you on from the crowd.

When I sit down and think about it, we really don’t have much in common anymore.

As we grew up, it became apparent that our priorities in life were very different. And although we share similar goals, I have no doubt that our means of accomplishing them will be polar opposite. I didn’t always agree with how you chose to live your life, and I know you feel the same towards me.

But my life is my life, and your life is your life. And I really don’t care how you choose to live it, even if it doesn’t include me, I just want you to be happy.

I hope that you find a boy that treats you better than any other. I hope you find a job that let’s you do the great things you were meant to do. And I hope you find the best friends that will love you as much as I always have.

I’m glad you were the one to help me start my life out right

I consider it an honor that I was able to be part of your “growing up” story. Thanks for all you have done, and all that you will do.

Now go have fun, I’m sure I’ll hear all about it someday.