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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

To email old best friend?

9 replies

chocolateaddict231 · 04/10/2023 16:59

Hi all,

I hope you're well. My best friend and I were as thick as thieves from the ages of 19-32, having met as housemates. We saw each other through break ups, sickness and just the mess of your general 20s! I moved abroad to Amsterdam and her and her partner followed me over to live with me, we did everything together and every photo from my 20s seems to have her in it. It feels a bit like a break up that she's not in my life and I actually did some counselling sessions over it.

When we were both 29 we were in similar places, long term relationships (the four of us were very close), jobs, living near each other etc. Things changed for me when I went through a very bad, pretty traumatic break up. I spent the next couple years trying to 'find myself' again and we seemed to not relate to each other anymore. I was going out a lot, going on dates, feeling sorry for myself a lot and we started to drift a lot. Then my Mum got sick with cancer and I felt I was asking her to be there for me when she wasn't.

She sent me a long message saying I was bad for her mental health because due to the break up/Mum being sick she felt I asked a lot from her (this is true) and the whole friendship became about me. I am happy to own up to a lot of my 'messiness' those days and how she didn't understand my actions (dating horrible men, not being there for her when she got engaged etc.) but it was a really difficult time for me. I have since met a wonderful man, had a baby two months ago and am engaged since last week. I know she has married since we last spoke and it hurts so much I didn't see her get married but I would love to reconnect with her. I've sent her messages over the years and flowers to her house but haven't for maybe two years now. I would love to tell her my life is now in a better place, apologise for the past and hopefully have her in my life again. Any advice is appreciated (I found writing this post strangely difficult, it's obviously still hurting me deep down)

OP posts:
ShellySarah · 04/10/2023 17:02

Did she respond when you sent flowers?

What reconnection do you want? Regular talking or meetings?

MatildaTheCat · 04/10/2023 17:05

Look this is hard but I actually think you might be better off leaving this one. I had a quite similar friendship which ended for reasons I don’t understand at all but did nonetheless.

They will have their reasons and they know where we are but getting back in touch in this way is likely to end with you getting hurt. If you did rekindle a friendship would you not always keep in mind how she dropped you?

Your life sounds pretty great now. Enjoy that and try to remember the good times.

chocolateaddict231 · 04/10/2023 17:06

I realistically want to see her and her partner as we were so close. They live abroad now but come home regularly. We have friends in common who I see often but it can be pretty awkward. She responded to say thank you to the flowers

OP posts:
category12 · 04/10/2023 17:07

If she hasn't responded to previous messages or the flowers, I think you need to let it go. I guess it depends a little on the content of those messages, but if you've apologised before or if your olive branches have repeatedly been ignored, you need to accept the message of silence she is giving you.

She knows where you are.

TiredMamOfTwo · 04/10/2023 17:10

Did she only say thank you and not try and have a conversation?

I wouldn't if she only said thank you. Sounds like she's moved on.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 04/10/2023 17:10

It sounds like to me if she’s moved abroad but comes home regularly maybe she doesn’t see the point in rekindling the friendship due to the distance and if she comes home regularly she doesn’t want drama but to see her other friends. She’s being polite to say thank you for the flowers.

I suppose if a mutual friend meets up with her and you’re there you could speak to her if you were there but the mutual friend might not want to get involved.

What do your mutual friends (friends in common) say about this?

Zanatdy · 04/10/2023 17:14

What have you got to lose?

Cowlover89 · 04/10/2023 17:32

Go for it. If she doesn't respond then you've got your answer but least you've tried x

SleepingStandingUp · 04/10/2023 17:45

She acknowledged the flowers so I don't see what you've got to lose. Make sure you acknowledge all the you stuff, leave her a phone number

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