Ever since I was born, I’ve lived in the beautiful Estrie region. When I met my boys’ father, I decided to move to Montérégie. It’s not that far, but over time I realized that, when it comes to friendship, it really is.
Almost all of my friends gradually forgot about me. I wasn’t invited to the parties or dinners they threw anymore. It was as if I didn’t exist, because I wasn’t physically there for them anymore. I’d worked so hard throughout my youth to make friends, because I was far from being the popular girl. I was more the kind of girl people made fun of.
Losing my friends like that was a real blow. I’m not saying that no one talks to me anymore, just that I don’t see anyone anymore—only very rarely or by chance. I would have gladly come along if I’d been invited to get-togethers or parties, but without an invitation, it’s pretty hard to know when something’s going on. I don’t hold it against them, but to be honest, it makes me sad every time I see photos of my friends together at a dinner party.
I thought I’d make new friends in my new town, but what a disappointment to see that isn’t really the case. I’ve certainly formed some friendships, but I often feel lonely despite my involvement in my community and at my kids’ school. I want people to call me to do something together, or to reach out for support when things aren’t going well, but I’m rarely the first person they think of. It often reminds me of my childhood, when I was always the “go-to person” for everything.
However, when I take a step back, I try to tell myself that friendship as an adult is different. We all have our priorities—our families, our jobs. Everyone is always short on time. Now it’s up to me to seize the opportunities that come my way.
Audrey, a girl who misses her friends