Dear D.,
We never officially said goodbye. There was no final moment, no last hug, no conversation where we looked at each other and said, “This is it.” It just quietly faded into silence. And maybe we let it happen that way because saying it out loud would have hurt too much.
But I’ve been carrying so much in my heart, and now I just want to put it into words. Not to end anything between us, but to gently accept what already is. That we are not going to see each other again. Not because we stopped caring, but because life, family, and everything that shaped us have made it nearly impossible to hold on to what we had.
Letting go of our friendship has been the deepest pain I’ve ever known. There is no comparison. But holding on would have meant watching you struggle in silence, torn between the people you love and the weight of what they expect from you. I could see how hard you were trying to keep everyone happy, but in the end, I saw how you were the one hurting the most. Because you cared for me not just as a friend. You felt like you had to be responsible for me. I never asked you to carry that, but I understand now. That’s who you are. You give with everything you have. You love with quiet strength. And that’s why it was hurting you.
Where I come from, we are taught that family comes first. That lesson lives in everything we do. And in this country where everything feels unfamiliar and distant, you were the only person who ever felt like family to me. You were more than a best friend. You were my anchor, my safe space, my home.
You and I grew up in cultures where silence often speaks louder than words. Where love is shown through sacrifice, not always through expression. Where we’re expected to protect our families, traditions, and reputations—even when it means letting go of the people we hold dearest. We tried to keep our friendship alive in the middle of all that, but some things are bigger than us. Some decisions are not made with the heart alone.
And still, I can’t call this goodbye. That word feels too cold, too final, for something that was so full of warmth and meaning. What we shared will always be a part of me. You taught me about loyalty, about empathy, about deep and unconditional care. You helped me grow. You reminded me that I was never truly alone.
So this letter is not an ending nor a goodbye. It is an expression of gratitude and a quiet moment of truth. It is me saying with every part of my heart that even though we may never meet again you will always be one of the most beautiful chapters of my life. A way to say I see everything you gave everything you carried everything you are. And even though life has pulled us apart the love and the memories remain untouched. Even though we are apart and our paths will not cross again I will carry you in the quiet moments in the spaces where love once lived and still lingers.
With love that doesn’t need to be seen to be real,
With love that lives quietly,
You will always be one of the most beautiful chapters in my story.
H.
