To The One Who Loves Him Next,

Because I’m not naïve enough to believe that I will be his last, because this isn’t a fairytale. Because this is real life and even the best of things don’t last forever.

He will be your best friend. I mean it. There’s something about him that is like an instant comfort switch to even the most closed-off people. Trust me, I’ve seen it firsthand. He’s the life of the party, the light in a dim room. He’s a character, but that’s what makes things so simple. He’s goofy, but just enough to make you let your guard down and get comfortable. Appreciate that, even if you’re more extroverted. Treat him like your best friend. Be sarcastic. Cherish the inside jokes, and how you can have a conversation with just one glance. He’ll support you like no other, no matter what. He’ll come to your defense, always. I promise you that there is not a single love out there that is like the one you’ll have with him. I promise.

Don’t take the small things for granted. He will hold your hand in the car, sing to you, and effortlessly cook you dinner. He’ll slow dance with you just because, and stare at you and smile with you not knowing why. He’ll call you when you can’t sleep and stay on the phone until you finally do. He’ll encourage you to get some rest after three hours on the phone because he can hear it in your voice that you need sleep. He will do anything to make you laugh. Don’t take this for granted, because someday you might not have it anymore.

Some things you should know. The dog comes before you. (Sorry.) Whatever he starts on Netflix will be a small obsession for awhile, and something you’ll hear about a lot. (Especially if the boy ever restarts Arrow.) He says he doesn’t eat much chocolate, but will not hesitate to reach for some when it is offered. Run your hands through his hair when he’s tired, and give him space if he’s angry. He gets so angry, never at you, but at the situation. He’ll come back. I swear. And an apology will be waiting for you at the end of it all, and the reminder that even when he’s frustrated, that doesn’t mean he stopped loving you. Take that as it is: He means it wholeheartedly. If he says he’s hungry but doesn’t know what he wants, go with a chicken quesadilla. And get him his own Baja Blast, that way he won’t drink yours.

He will be the greatest love you will ever have. He will never let you go to bed angry or unsure of where you stand. He will always say “I love you”, sometimes at the worst times, just so you don’t forget that, even in the heat of the moment, you are still his world.

If he loves you, you’ll know. He doesn’t avoid telling you how he really feels. And he shows you in every way.

He’s (not-so) secretly a dork. His laugh is infectious and his smile lights up a room, even though he hates it. He’ll talk in funny voices just to see you smile and he’ll prove to you every day how loved you are.

Please don’t ever let him go.