I’ve never believed in the whole love at first sight thing. Frankly, I don’t think many people do. That being said, my boyfriend does. He claims to have been in love with me since day one of laying his eyes on me in, like, eighth grade. (Despite what I think about it, he even argues it.) And despite me turning him down after our first date, he still stuck with me, waiting for me to figure it all out. He watched me go back to an ex and get hurt over and over. I had no idea at the time, but he was the one thing that kept me going. I don’t think he even knows what he meant to me back then. (Yes, I friendzoned him back then and did everything in my power to just keep him a friend). It took a low point in my life to finally come to the conclusion that he was the one that kept me strong and moving forward in my life. He was always so encouraging in all of my adventures and dreams. It took him not talking to me for a time for me to finally figure out that I loved him, and not only loved him, but needed him.

I’m sure he’ll get a huge ego boost with this, but that’s okay. I guess reminding him how much he means to me is worth it. I can’t thank him enough. There were a few hard times in my life where I considered that my life was not worth the struggle anymore. He always seemed to know. He would text or message at just the right moment to remind me that I intact mattered to someone. He was the first guy to ever take me on a real date, on which he paid for the movie. Despite him crushing my hand all through Dear John, I still couldn’t believe how safe I felt with him. Sitting my his side gave me a new-found comfort in my life.

He’s always encouraged me to do all the things I want to. He does say no to me a lot. (I guess he’s trying to make me not so spoiled.) He was the real reason I even wanted to go away to college. I hated to leave him, but I knew that if we were going to have a future together that college would be a very important step for both of us. We’ve both accomplished so much in the last three years that I can hardly believe it’s real. He’s graduated from college once already, top of his class. The next step in college has been filled with awards and praises for him. I’ll be graduating with a degree in December and moving on to my next phase. It’s all been such a ride, and I’m so glad he’s been with me through it all.

Almost six long years of troubles and celebrations together. I feel as though I owe them all to you. You are really my reason for living. You gave me something no one else could — hope. Hope that everything would get better. Hope that my future wasn’t so dark or dismal. I am so glad you stuck with me through everything we’ve faced together. I can’t wait to face six more years with you. Thank you so much for coming into my life when you did; without you I’d be lost. I love you more than you’ll ever know.

Love,

Your girl.