Sometimes, it really is goodbye. Certain relationships, no matter how strong they once were, have an expiration date. I always knew this concept existed, but only recently have I truly experienced it. People come into our lives for specific reasons or seasons, each with their own purpose. But when the season ends, we’re left with the bittersweet task of letting go. And here’s the hard part: it’s not limited to friends or acquaintances. It can happen with family members too. Family or not, the loss of a meaningful connection can ache deeply, leaving us in a state of mourning.

We often think of outgrowing someone in terms of friendships, but it can happen in any relationship. Imagine two friends who once bonded over shared interests and a similar outlook on life. But as they grow older, one might start embracing a different lifestyle or mindset, while the other stays where they were. Suddenly, they don’t share the same conversations, values, or even life goals anymore. Sometimes this shift is subtle, drifting apart slowly over time. In other cases, it’s more abrupt—like someone moving away, changing careers, or experiencing a life-changing event. When these shifts happen, the relationship may naturally come to an end.

But just because a relationship ends doesn’t mean it wasn’t valuable. People enter our lives for a reason, often to help us learn, grow, or experience something unique. The hard part is accepting that once that purpose has been fulfilled, it may be time to let them go. The ache of loss lingers because a part of us still wants that connection, that presence. Letting go is difficult, yet honoring the season you shared is a way to find peace. It’s a reminder that each chapter, whether long or short, holds its own purpose and leaves an imprint on who we become.