When I was younger, I thought my friendships would last forever. I couldn't imagine a future where the people I talked to every day would slowly become strangers. It never crossed my mind that growing up also meant growing apart.
Not every friendship ends because of a big fight. Sometimes life simply moves people in different directions. Conversations become less frequent, schedules get busier, and before you know it, months have gone by without talking.
For a while, I blamed myself whenever a friendship faded. I wondered if I should have tried harder or reached out more often. It's easy to think you've done something wrong when someone quietly disappears from your life.
As I've gotten older, I've realized that some people are only meant to be part of certain chapters. That doesn't mean the friendship wasn't real or important. It simply means it served its purpose during that season of your life.
I've stopped measuring relationships by how long they last. Instead, I appreciate what they gave me while they were here. Some friends teach us about loyalty, some teach us about boundaries, and some remind us of the kind of person we want to become.
Growing apart isn't always a failure. Sometimes it's simply part of growing up. Letting go creates space for the people who are meant to walk beside you in the next chapter.