Leaving Card Messages for a Friend — 60 Goodbye Messages (UK)

Saying goodbye to a friend: the card that has to do it justice

A leaving card for a friend is different from a work leaving card — it can be more personal, more emotional, more honest about what the friendship has meant. The stakes feel higher because the relationship is deeper. These 60 messages are written for that register.

For a friend moving to another city in the UK

• Another city, same friendship. The geography is different but nothing else is. I'll miss having you close — and I'll be visiting far more than is probably convenient for you. Don't be a stranger.
• Moving to [city] is objectively the right call, and I'm supportive and happy for you and also quite annoyed. All of those things are true at once. See you soon. Don't forget me.
• It won't be the same without you in the same city. But I plan to text you at odd hours and visit more than you expected. Wishing you the happiest of new starts.

For a friend moving abroad

• Another country. I'm proud and heartbroken in exactly equal measure. You were always going to do something like this — the rest of us just had to keep up. Go and be brilliant. Don't forget us entirely.
• The distance is real but this friendship isn't going anywhere. Wishing you every happiness in your new country — and please keep your data on, because we will still be messaging you at UK times.
• Go well. Build a brilliant life there. Come back and visit. In roughly that order. So glad for you, and so going to miss you.

For a close friend leaving for any reason

• You have been one of the constants in my life for [X] years, and that doesn't change because the postcode does. Whatever comes next — for you, for me, for both of us — this is a friendship I intend to keep indefinitely. Take good care of yourself. I'll be in touch.
• I'm not good at goodbyes, so I'm not going to do one. Instead: congratulations on whatever is ahead, I love you very much, and I expect updates.
• Some people come into your life and change the shape of it. You did that. Thank you for being exactly who you are and for sharing it with me. I'll miss you terribly and I'll be absolutely fine, because you've made me that way. Go and do the same for wherever you're going next.

Funny leaving messages for a friend

• I told myself I wouldn't get sentimental in this card. That lasted approximately four seconds. I'm going to miss you enormously. Please come back as often as possible.
• Moving away without my permission. Classic. I'm choosing to be supportive rather than point out how inconvenient this is. Good luck. Visit often.
• Goodbye! (Temporarily. Very temporarily. I have already looked up train times.)

Short messages

• I'll miss you. Keep in touch. Always.
• Don't go too far. (I know you're going very far. I still mean it.)
• Goodbye for now. Not goodbye forever.

A group card from everyone who loves them

When a friend is leaving, a card signed by everyone in the group — from every friendship circle and every chapter of their life — is something they keep forever. A Thankeeu group leaving card lets the whole group contribute messages, photos and voice notes from one link. Create one here.