To my internet-savvy ex,

I’m not mad. Well, maybe just a little mad because I forgot to Snap my best friend this morning and we lost our 276-day streak, but that’s beside the point. I should clarify that I’m not mad at you.

And I’m not mad because I understand. I understand that sometimes love just doesn’t work out, especially when it’s bogged down by all the pressures of a life online. We ended on amicable terms, albeit awkward ones, and I was hopeful. After my literal slip-up, I wasn’t sure we’d be okay anymore. It’s not my fault I slipped on that pile of tapioca pudding and accidentally butt-dialed your great-grandmother when I fell, seemingly cursing her out when in reality I was really cursing Ricky the Train Clown for accidentally dropping his pudding cup and not cleaning it up. I just didn’t see that pile o’ pudding there, just like I didn’t see what was about to come next. I thought we’d be okay.

I guess I was wrong.

You blocked me on Google+ first. You probably didn’t think I’d notice since I hadn’t been on the site in a few hours. But I just so happened to log on to add a coworker to my “Bald Eagle Lovers United” circle and I noticed you were nowhere to be seen. I checked my followers, I checked my followings, I checked all of my circles, but nope. You were gone.

I panicked after that. I don’t know why. I just did. I frantically checked every other social media platform after that–Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Youtube, Vine (RIP), Pinterest, Reddit, FarmersOnly, Tumblr, all of them. Even Myspace. Nowhere. I couldn’t see your profiles anywhere. I’d been blocked.

I was heartbroken at first. I went from being able to see all the Tasty videos you share to not knowing which crafty recipe you’d watch next (probably cookies), but never actually make. I went from being able to see your daily selfies on your Snapchat story to wondering what you’d look like with the latest animal ears filter. Most importantly, I went from being able to follow along on your life journey to being completely cast out.

But like I said at the start of this letter, I’m not mad. I understand. Sometimes it’s easier to grow and change and move on when you’ve cut off all ties. That’s a hard lesson to learn, especially when you’re on my side of things. But I’ve had some time to process, some time to think about things, some time to call your great-grandmother and apologize for my colorful language, and I understand why you did what you did. I understand because this space, this breathing room, has been good for me, too. I’m working on myself, and I’m better than I ever have been.

That’s why I just wish you could see this letter. Too bad you blocked me on The Odyssey, too.

With my most heartfelt thanks,