My Friends Are Leaving Seattle

Two of my college friends, whom I've known since 2021, are finally leaving Seattle. They've actually been planning this since the beginning of the year, and now it's finally time to actually start the process. They were the first friends I made at the University of Washington, and they helped me so much throughout my college years. Now, they're going to find new opportunities elsewhere and explore a different world.

We've all spent quite some time here in Seattle. It's been around a quarter of our lives already. This city has been such a big part of who we've become, and it's hard to imagine it without them here. Honestly, my feelings are pretty mixed.

On one hand, I'm genuinely happy for them. Seeing them finally find a new direction instead of just staying stuck in Seattle feels right. They should go out and explore, try different possibilities. I support their choice and hope they can live the life they want and pursue what's truly theirs.

I mean, if not now, when? We're all still young. This is exactly the time to try new things and take risks. Don't be afraid of failure; worst case, we can always start over. We still have plenty of time and opportunities. You only live once. How will we know what's out there if we don't try? While we're young, we should be brave. But on the other hand, I still feel a bit sad. My best friends are leaving, and we probably won't see each other for the next few years. It's a strange feeling. I know it's a good thing, but I can't help feeling reluctant to let go.

We all understand that everyone has their own path to walk. We've just been lucky that our paths happened to go in the same direction for these past few years. Now we've reached a crossroads, and it's time to head in our own directions.

I guess this is what growing up is. When we gain something, we also lose something. We gain growth, new opportunities, broader horizons, but we lose the daily routine of seeing each other, the convenience of being able to hang out whenever. You win some, you lose some. That's life. While they're still here, I want to cherish the time we have left together. I don't want to look back later with regret, thinking "I should've hung out with them more" or "I should've talked to them more." So let's make the most of the remaining days and create more memories together.

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To my friends:

If you're reading this, don't forget about me :)

I know moving isn't easy, and adapting to a new environment takes time. But I really hope you'll find more happiness in your new place by trying new things and embracing new experiences. I hope everything goes well for you and that you find what you're looking for on your journey ahead. If I get the chance, I'll definitely come visit! Good luck!

さよーならまたいつか！