For the first time in a long time when I saw you with her, I smiled. For far too long I’ve been bitter. Bitter that you were doing for her all the things you never did for me. Bitter you went the extra mile, or thousands for her and never made that extra effort for me. Bitter you’re growing into the type of man I always wished you were for me. But today, I smiled. I smiled when I saw her sappy post of you two. And for once it wasn’t a smile over jealously or envy, it was a smile of happiness. Happy that you’re shaping into the man someone is proud to have. Happy that you took all the mistakes you’ve made and are now making things right. So know this letter comes from happiness, it comes from finally accepting that you weren’t the man for me, but I may have helped you be the man for someone else. When I see you with her I see something different, I see someone in love, a look I’m not sure you ever gave me and I’ve finally learned that’s okay.

So keep going out of your way for her. Keep making her the happiest and luckiest girl. Continue to do the little things and make up for past mistakes and if you can’t do it for you, do it for her. Do it for the smile on her face when she hasn’t seen you in a while. Do it for all the “I love you’s.” Do it because she can’t picture life without you and she means it. Do it because you want to be a better man. I always knew an amazing man was somewhere inside you and there are days I wished you were that man for me, but today I realized I wasn’t meant to get you at your best and that you didn’t get me at mine. I realized that we were a stepping stone in each other’s lives to help us grow into the type of person we were always meant to be. So love, I am so proud of you. I am proud you’re finally realizing that when you love someone you show it. When you miss someone you tell them. That your friend’s opinions mean nothing when it comes to matters of the heart.

Now remember that there will be bad days, there will be days where it doesn’t seem worth it, but don’t give up. I know love when I see it and this is it. Remember to take the good with the bad and that everything does happen for a reason no matter how cliché it sounds. Remember to take time out of your day to tell her what you love about her and remember patience is key. Laugh at her jokes because you know they’re funny and be goofy just because. I am confident you don’t need my advice but take it from someone who hopes to have what you have with her. Someone who now finally see’s that love is possible after heart break.

I know it’s silly to write a letter to someone so far in your past and I know a smile doesn’t mean much, but today, I smiled and somehow it made me feel better. So cheers to you and your new love, know I am rooting for you, don’t mess this one up.