To be sad that my only friend has moved away?

[anotherdayanothernchange]

I’ve NC’d as I know she’s on here.

I met a woman at a class when we were both heavily pregnant. We met a few times before we had our babies and then met up at least once a week since, if not 2-3 times. Just clicked and got on great. I struggle to make friends; I’m always alone at the school gates, I’ve tried talking to people with little success. So this was great. But she’s unexpectedly had to move pretty sharply to somewhere about 2 hours away on public transport (no car). We met for lunch last week and it was very much a goodbye without saying goodbye. I honestly wish her the best as she’s had a really hard time since I’ve known her (about a year) but I’m gutted; I’m back to having no friends or having anyone to meet for lunch etc. I do go to 3 baby groups during the week but they’re very cliquey or it’s very surface level chat which I try to develop but not always easy when you’re looking after a baby. And of course I’ll miss her as a person. I have helped her through a really tough time and I am glad she’s gotten out of her situation, however it took a lot on my emotionally so I was invested.

Of course YANBU to feel sad that your friend has moved away.

You can be pleased for her and still sad for the loss of that practical and close friendship.

But it is never a good idea to rely on one person for all your support and socialising.
You obviously have a baby and at least one school age child so this is a really good time to broaden out your friendships. You can gradually get to know several other people without perhaps having the intensity of the relationship you have shared with the friend who has moved. Perhaps try not to judge peopleso much when you meet, and think more along the lines of 'Is this someone I might meet up in the park with out dc for 3/4 hour' rather than 'Can this person replace the friend who has moved'.