An open letter, written by me, but for anyone who has that one who got away in their life, or who loved someone they knew they couldn't have. This one's for us.

Dear one that got away,

I love you. I know I shouldn't say that, and I know I can't really say that because you are gone. This thing we had and have is complicated, and I wish I could explain to myself what this was and is, but I can't. I hate that you had to leave. I didn't want you to. I didn't realize how much I cared for you or wanted you until you were gone the first time. What we had was something special.

You made me smile, and I made you laugh. I poke and pry at you and even though it bothers you, you still let me do it anyways. We listen to each other's problems, and even though we're bluntly honest with each other and that causes fights between us sometimes, we always were there for each other. When one of us had a bad day or were having a young adult crisis, we knew we were only a phone call away from each other.

We had something weird. It wasn't a relationship, but we were something more special than friends. It was unspoken what we were and we didn't have to define it any more than that. All we knew was that we were important to each other.

I'm sad I lost you, I'm sad I never got to really be with you, but I'm happy I had you when I did. I'm glad we got to share moments that I'll always keep in my heart, and I'm glad I got to meet someone like you. I've never met someone who's made me feel so many emotions so strongly. Whether it was anger or pure joy, you made me feel real emotions. I loved that you challenged me when I was doing questionable things, or that you challenged me just in general being my friend. You really made me think and evaluate things, and I thank you for that.

I also don't think I've ever talked on the phone with someone as much as I did with you. After the first time you left to follow your dreams, we talked constantly. I would call you as soon as you woke up, or you'd wake me up. We'd call when I was walking to class, we called when I was walking home from a party, we really called whenever we could. Not to tell each other some mushy love stuff, but purely just to talk and enjoy each other's company on the phone. It was so happy and so pure, I couldn't wait to hear from you and talk about every little thing we were doing, you became my best friend.

We both have paths we have to follow and dreams of our own that we have to achieve. We will always keep our friendship, but I'll miss whatever else this was too. It's time we move on, and it's time for me to let go. Thank you for being in my life, one who got away.

Sincerely,

The person who still loves you.