Hearing you @creative_writer .
That pain of rejection is so real. I'm not sure if I shared this with you before, but there was a time when I was very close to my sister. Then, she met her other half, got married and had children. I was so upset at first. I felt so rejected.
Yet, stepping back, I wanted the best for them. I realised that marriage means to move away from family and be tied to your family. This is her calling. I cannot take that away.
This is only my experience and how I finally accepted this 'rejection'. It does not necessarily mean I am 'less important', but moreso that people move on with their lives.
Then again, I'm also aware I'm a late bloomer. I seem to be 10 steps behind others.
Hope I'm making sense.