Dear friend

 03/06/24:

Dear friend, 

All is well over here. I have a nice view and I listen to the birds chirp as the sun rises. I still pour my coffee in the mug you got me. The handle is chipped but it doesn't bother me. I add half a spoon of brown sugar just like you taught me. 

A lot has changed about me, I think you'd be surprised. I've graduated. I have a job. I have four tattoos, although I said I could never. I go to church and I listen to country. My wrists are the same size they were then, my hands can still fit in yours. My hair is long again. My friends are still my friends like they'll always be, but watching them fall in love is new to me. 

There are nuances about me that only you can recognize, like the tinted lipstick I started wearing and the fact that I don't cry at night anymore. 

It's a tragedy the sea monsters had to drag you away from me. You know me better than anyone else does, you know I'll always be a child inside. I look for you in the glittering bioluminescent lights and in the flow of the wind. I look for you in every footprint. I look for you in every storm. 

Still, I'm grounded and anchored. I know you are never coming back. I've come to terms with that. I let you go on to your next life ages ago. 

Friend, I feel like flowers are growing inside of me, all thanks to you. Your sweet smile forever changed me.

Everything turned out alright, just like you said it would. I experience a lot of peace nowadays. More peace than anything else. It's hard to be without you. I miss you always. I know you are near me and I know you miss me too. I hope your other life is kind to you the way you were to me. Goodbye, for now, my dearest friend.