They’re your favorite “what if”. What if the communication had been more clear? What if we had met later in life? What if we were still together? And every now and again we all still play that what if game. All the memories come rushing back, and that’s a good thing. Our first loves are important. A lot of firsts happen during that relationship. The memories are both good and bad. And maybe you're one of the lucky ones that didn't have to try more than once. But for those of us who go through life after our first love, and can seem like nothing measures up sometimes...until we find the right person that is. But our first loves are important. And here’s why.

It’s the first time in your life that you realize how much you can feel. Yes, I realize how corny that sounds, but it’s true! You see all these great and cheesy romantic comedies and wonder if those kind of feelings could actually be real. Then you find out that it can happen, and everything changes.

The little things start to become even more important than they used to be. Simple things, like numbers and sayings, start to form attachments to all those memories that you made. I can remember the days like it was yesterday when the number 19, four wheelers, and little birdies meant the absolute world to me. Maybe not the four wheelers so much, but they were still a big part of that time in my life. I mean I totally wrecked the four wheeler and broke it for the rest of eternity…I’m still sorry about that. The point is that no matter the size of the memory, it’ll matter to you more than you ever knew.

Time starts to become more valuable when your first love comes into your life. You want time to slow down or stop completely. You want to be able to spend as time as possible with them. Every moment becomes more precious than the last. You learn how to slow down and appreciate what really matters in life.

First loves aren’t the most important things in the world, but they do open up our worlds to so many different things. They’re truly epic love stories. That’s why they’re our favorite. They’re full of happiness and heartbreak. Maybe things didn't end well. Maybe there wasn't enough communication. But that doesn't mean that your first love wasn't important. The bad things are as much apart of life as the good things. You have to learn how to embrace them. So embrace the memories you shared with your first love. Show your kids pictures when they ask about your first love. Tell the good and the bad stories because that's what makes up your first love.