Starting in middle school, when puberty hit, all of my friends blossomed into attractive young women while I still looked like I was ten. I was short and weighed 80 pounds with braces and freckles, now I’m 21 and still waiting for my boobs to grow in. I sat on the sidelines watching all of my friends start to date and have all kinds of boys drooling over them. Once I began high school it was as if I only got more awkward. I grew practically eight inches overnight, had to wear a retainer, and went through the phase where I only wanted to wear black. Freshman, sophomore, and junior year flew by, and once senior year rolled around I met a really great guy.
To My High School Sweetheart,
I want to take this time to say thank you to the boy who saw me as beautiful when no one else ever did. Thank you to the ambitious boy who chased after the 18-year-old senior girl when he was only a sophomore, and he wasn’t embarrassed to do so. Thank you for not letting one day go by without complimenting me, and seeing what no one else saw in me. Thank you for laughing at my terrible jokes, waiting for me at my locker every morning, and most importantly staying by my side as I transitioned from high school into college. Fast forward three years later and I am wrapping up my junior year as a college undergrad while still learning how to navigate a long distance relationship.
I will always remember our first date – you came to my house with your mom and little sister, waiting at the front door with a food platter in hand. You were surprised to see my mom answer the door and welcome you inside instead of me. When I heard the knock on the door I hid in my room and argued with mom for a solid 45 seconds about who should answer the door. I won. You tried so hard to make a good first impression with my family; honestly the effort was so cute. Although there was a slight mishap as we were carrying our dinner plates upstairs, you dropped a glass cup and it shattered all over the floor and you’re probably thinking my mom wanted to kill you – but in reality it’s an ongoing inside joke.
Here we are nearly four years later, creating memories that will last a lifetime. So thank you, my high school sweetheart, for teaching me that things really do happen when you least expect it, when the going gets tough, the tough get going, and good things come to those who wait.
Sincerely,
Me
