Every summer on July 17th, I remember the birthday of my best friend from long ago. Sharon and I met in college as undergrads. We clicked instantly, as cliche as I know this sounds. We could read each other’s often hidden feelings and thoughts, whether we were together or simply on the phone. We each went on to attend grad school. I became a social worker and she entered the seminary. I attended her wedding. We had joked about how cool it would be for us to someday marry twin guys and have our weddings together so that we would always stay close. But everything changed forever when I came out to her as a lesbian. I was grieving the loss of my partner who was killed in a car accident and was yearning for her empathy. Her letter to me broke my heart. She basically told me that because of my orientation she could no longer remain as my friend.

I am in my sixties now and wonder how Sharon is. I have dreams every now and then that we reconnect. I hope you are well, Sharon, I really do. And yes, I still miss you.