Excluded her. They would always get together without her and then on Sundays they would talk about all the fun things they had done.

Our daughter was really mature (also slightly clueless) about it and tried to still be their friend and to make new friends. I think it bugged my wife and me more than her. I was so annoyed with the parents for being so clueless.

Fast forward a few years and my daughter has kind of done her own thing with a new group of friends, but has also become better friends with this old group.

Last night one of the girls from this old group who was always the meanest to her randomly sent her a long text telling her how sorry she was for being such a “immature brat” (her words) in the past and that my daughter has always been so positive and kind. This girl said she has felt bad about how she used to treat my daughter and asked for forgiveness and said she is so grateful that my daughter didn’t give up on her, and that she is so grateful to be friends with my daughter and excited for high school together.

I honestly almost cried when I read the text. I know for a fact that this girl’s parents didn’t put her up to it either. She sent it all on her own. I thought that was pretty dang awesome of a 13 year old to have the self awareness to not only recognize her hurtful past behavior, but to apologize for it. What an awesome girl. Made my daughter’s night.