Sometimes if two people are mature enough, you have to realize that you make better friends than lovers. There’s nothing wrong with that.

Too many people get caught up in the “Animosity” game instead of realizing the importance of true friendship.

What’s so bad about growing apart? It happens. It’s life. People come in and out of our lives all the time, and if you are fortunate enough to have had a relationship but it just couldn’t work, at least you had that time to grow.

Look it’s simple.

A good break up looks like two friends saying “ I’ll see ya later.” That’s how it should be. Both people stand up and be adults for a change and take responsibility for your part of why the relationship didn’t work out and say it to each other face to face.

That’s an example, but you get it.

You can still smile at one another. You can speak, without shuffling your feet or your eyes falling to the ground. You aren't scared.

You can be kind to him. But more importantly, you can be kind to yourself. You can wake up, brush your hair, eat. You can admit your shared failings, but you don't have to scream it from the rooftops.

You can still love one another. You can still wish for their happiness, even if their happiness isn't you. You can breathe.

You can remember the good times fondly.

You can let yourself fall freely into another's arms.

We met when I was living out of state.

I was home for winter break and got invited to my friend's birthday party.

He was there as well and he asked me to dance.

Then asked me for a date.

Our time together ended much too soon,

As I had to go back to school.

Got together whenever I was in town.

There were other differences.

Religion,

I wasn't looking for anything serious,

He was.

We agreed to part as friends.

We ran into each other at a New Year's party.

And at a wedding.

Conversation was friendly,

We even shared a dance at the wedding for old time's sake.

We were fun together as always.

Just not meant to be.

Reconnected with our mutual friend years later.

First question was to ask how he was doing.

He's married,

So am I.

I wish the best for him always.

A good breakup is mutual and friendly. You aren't parting ways because of your differences, but because you've grown as much as you can with each other. You don't want to leave each other and will still be friends, but you understand that being in a relationship with each other isn't necessary anymore, as you still love each other, and know that separating is best for the both of you at the end of the day. By not being in a relationship, you can better support each other, guide each other, and help each other continue to grow as people, just in a different way. It's the kind of breakup that opens the door to a life-long friendship with someone who knows you better than anybody else. Where you both know you can live your lives the way you were meant to while still supporting each other through it all.