Dear Friend Who Could Have Been,

From day one, I knew you were best friend potential. Gems like you are rare. Incredibly rare. I know a good heart, a good soul, a good friend when I see one. I didn’t want to let you go. It was too good to be true.

We lived close. Our friendship grew. Bits and pieces of a beautiful friendship began blooming. But time. Sweet time. We didn’t have that much time together.

You moved.

Not far, but far enough.

I had this great idea to meet you at the park once a week. We’d chat. The kids could play. We’d grow close and become best friends just like I envisioned.

But I never saw you anymore. I didn’t have your phone number because we weren’t THAT close. You didn’t have Facebook. And you were a busy mom.

I ran into your husband one day and thought it was the ideal time to ask him about that weekly park playdate.

“Oh, that would be great,” he said. “She already meets with another group of moms and kids once a week at the park, but I’m sure they’d be happy to have you join the fun.”

I smiled. Said “yeah.” Probably pretended it was a great idea and made your husband believe I’d call you and get on that right away.

But truth was, I knew that group and I was the odd (wo)man out. Besides, I didn’t want a massive moms and kids playdate at the park. I wanted intimate time, just you and me. Time to get to know one another on a deeper level. I wasn’t looking for a social event. I was looking for friendship. With YOU.

I never called you.

Never asked you about that park playdate.

I left it with your husband. He gave me the answer I didn’t want. That quaint idea of meeting at the park once a week with our kids? The one I dreamed up for you and me? Maybe it wasn’t so unique after all. You already had a bunch of quaint and committed friends.

I haven’t seen you since you moved. It’s been years now.

Still, you’re a gem.

I’ve left you in peace, among the rare few I’ve encountered who could have been true best friends.

Love,

 

 

 

This is part of a month-long series on friendship titled Love Letters to Friends. To read the rest of the posts in the series, CLICK HERE and you’ll be directed to the series introductory post. Scroll to the bottom and you’ll find all the posts listed and linked for your reading pleasure.