I want to start off by saying that you are still one of the most important people in my life — I will always care about you and, although I didn't realize it at the time, us not working out was actually one of my biggest blessings. Whether time wasn't on our side or neither of us were in the right place in our lives for a relationship, I still got to see your heart and soul.

I want to thank you for being so extremely kind to me; you were a Godly man in its purest form. I will never forget the late night drives, the long talks and your big bear hugs. I will never forget the encouragement you always gave me when I was having a bad day. I will never forget comforting you through tough times and celebrating you through good times. I will also never forget the rough way we ended things, knowing it was unacceptable. I know we were both confused in where we were in our lives and whether or not we could handle a relationship in such a transitional time and, in the end, decided it was for the best that we didn't. But I'm still really glad it happened. And seeing where you are now, I know it would've been worse if we were together because I would've held you back from doing some pretty amazing things. Thankfully, you taught me a whole lot.

You taught me that I deserve to be respected above all. You really knew how to treat a girl. You also taught me that a guy needs to be mature enough for a relationship. You and I weren't, and that's OK. You taught me what it really means to "date" someone by going out of your way to make it special and skipping the small talk to really get to know where my heart was. You knew my heart better than anyone. You understood that we both had our own personal obligations, and that it's OK to be selfish sometimes instead of demanding my attention at all times. You taught me to find someone that acknowledged faith and the Lord, because in all honesty, He was the one that put us together in the first place. You didn't care about my past and wanted to push me to a better future.

You needed to figure things out and so did I. Neither of us were ready for something committed like that. Plus, our lives were running in two opposite directions. Things could've gone differently, but that's not what God wanted. God brought us together knowing it wouldn't stay that way; it's funny how He gets our hopes up like that. You made me want to be a better person and that's what I went out into the world and did. I am better off without you, and I owe some of who I am to how you treated me. I thank God for putting you in my life just to take you out of it.

I hope you are enjoying where you are in your life — I'm truly happy about all the things you're getting to do! I'm loving my life too; you aren't my source of happiness anymore, and it is great. Thank you for opening your heart to me and allowing me to open mine up to you. We are better apart, but I'm always here if you need anything. You are a truly incredible person, and I hope you find someone that is good enough for you. Please don't ever settle. Thanks for your love and support — never stop being you.