To the Person,

First, I would like you to know that I forgive you. I forgive you for the lies, for the betrayal, for the disappearance, for everything. I forgive you for walking away every time a situation presented itself as difficult, I forgive you for not being able to handle how you were feeling and I forgive you for leaving me for her. I understand the struggle you were facing, and I understand why you made the decision that you did. That doesn’t take away from how much it hurt, even though I’m sure that would have helped. I spent months trying to figure out how to move on, because you made it look so easy. I would question myself time and time again, wondering how it was that you could so easily forget about me, and let me fade out so quickly that it was like a wave being pulled back into the ocean.

Whatever the case may be, you left. You moved on, and regardless of whether or not I was ready to, what other choice did I have? Even though I forgive you for the things you did, I also want you to know that I’ll never forget your actions. Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you’ve said, they’ll forget what you did, but they’ll never forget the way you made them feel.” You know how much of a sucker I am for sappy quotes, but this is my ultimate favorite. I think it may simply be due to the fact that I agree with her so much. You left a footprint on my soul, and I find it necessary to thank you for giving me the gift of happiness for the time we spent together. I remember waking up each morning anticipating what was to come and falling asleep each night wishing there were more hours in a day. Being with you was so natural, I never felt uncomfortable or not myself. Together, we created memories that will last a lifetime and I have to be grateful for that. You gave me a piece of myself that I never even realized was missing, and taught me to appreciate things I never did before.

When I first met you, as crazy as this sounds, I knew I was about to step aboard the craziest ride of my life and boy, it was one hell of a ride. I knew there was something about you, perhaps the way you drank your coffee or the smile you give off when there’s something on your mind but you don’t want to say it. Maybe it even lied within something as simple and mesmerizing as the sound of your laugh or the way your jaw would sometimes tense up when you drove. However it happened, I saw fire in your eyes and passion in your soul and you pumped love through my veins. I noticed, after some time, you had crept your way into my heart and you had taken it. Even though you’re gone, I appreciate you helping to mold me into the person that I stand as today. They say when you lose someone in your life, the best way to grow and move forward is to cherish the good moments and forget the bad ones. So, I’ve made the executive decision to do so within the four walls of my own world. I’m going to embrace the memories you gifted me with, I’m going to remember you for the way you made me feel and not the way I feel now that you’re gone. I’m happy now, and I’m happy that you’re happy also.

In forgiving you, I’ve also learned to forgive myself. Forgive myself for feeling sad when a certain song plays on the radio or for moments of weakness when I text you at 3 a.m. just to tell you I miss you. I refuse to get frustrated with myself for feeling how I feel, and for loving deeply. So, without further ado: may your journey be long and well-traveled, may you live out all the years of your life and see all the beauty that this world has to offer. I know that you will be more than successful in whatever you choose to do with your life and your future. I hope that all of your dreams come true, and that you get the privilege to grow old with someone that you are madly in love with. Thank you for the memories, the fun and the endless laughter. I’ll never forget the influence you had in my life; you will always have a very special place in my heart.

All my love always,

Paul