17 May 2014
Dear Sarah,
Before I begin, I want you to know that this is not a farewell letter. This is for all the words left unsaid between us. This is for all those moments that are forever held in our memories. This is for treasuring the past and embracing the future. When I first met you in eighth grade, I knew that my life wouldn't just be going in one direction any longer. I recall complimenting you that you had this really cool and interesting accent. I had no idea where you were from until we began sitting next to each other on the bus. We would always complain about the heat and I always warned you that it would be worse. I think we all know who was right. But little did I know that those simple bus rides would lead into this beautiful friendship. I remember all the amazing times during those two years that we were able to spend together as if it was yesterday. Through all the drama, homework, tests and sleepless nights, nothing has ever come between our strong friendship. So I won't let 2,081.1 miles make any difference at all. Instead, I will still be here supporting your decisions in your future. You've definitely got a friend in me so do not hesitate to just call and I'll give my hand to you as you did for me.
As I was falling deeper and deeper, a pair of hands reached out and pulled me back up. When I felt myself slipping away, it was your hands that held on even tighter. It is easy and simple to become friends, and it is difficult to remain friends; but it is the hardest to say goodbye to a friend. I am sorry, but I cannot do the hardest part. It is as if I am unable to press the stop button for my music until it is playing; you cannot say hello until you have said goodbye. The only reason I am saying goodbye to you is so that I can get the chance to say hello to you again. I may force my voice and tongue to say the word goodbye, but my heart will never truly mean it. Honestly, I can never say goodbye to someone as wonderful as you.
The following is from an Broadway musical.
"I've heard it said, that people come into our lives for a reason. Bringing something we must learn and we are lead to those who help us most to grow if we let them. And we help them in return. Well, I don't know if I believe that's true, but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you....It well may be that we will never meet again in this lifetime. So, let me say before we part so much of me is made of what I learned from you. You'll be with me like a handprint on my heart, and now whatever way our stories end I know you'll have rewritten mine by being my friend." Everyone deserves the chance to fly and Virginia is your new sky. Please take it. You will never be leaving us because when I look at the future that we have ahead of us, there you will be.
Until we meet again,
Mikaila