I’m in my mid 20s and over the past few years have met 2 women who are quite older than me through work. These friendships were separate of each other but all similar - they call me their work daughter/say they’re my mum. They would get me birthday gifts/housewarming presents etc. We would socialise outside of work and they would very much treat me like a daughter almost, and also share some really personal things about themselves. They’d check on me, encourage me, build me up etc. we’d regularly go out together whether that’s lunch or something else. I even spent Valentine’s Day with one of them after she split up with her partner.
Anyway as soon as either I or they left the job we worked in together, that’s it. We had each other’s numbers but the friendship has completely fizzled out on their end.
Whilst I’m aware colleagues are just that - what I find confusing about this is how “close” they said we were so it’s almost like having whiplash with how things are now. I’m not close to my own mother so definitely appreciated their company!