Dear past boyfriend,

It’s been a while since we’ve talked. You’re doing big things in life. You’re almost finished with college. You’re head over heels in love with some girl. It seems like you have got it all together. And, I’m thrilled for you. I’m so happy that life is treating you well. You deserve the world.

As for me, I’m also doing big things. College is going great. I love my major. I’ve made so many new friends. My internship is the best job I’ve ever had. But even though I’m so happy with my life, I find myself missing you from time to time.

I’m not writing this letter to beg for you to come back to me. I think we both know that we have spent too much time apart for that. We were both young and stubborn, but what we had was special. Instead, I’m writing to apologize for taking you for granted. I didn’t realize how hard it is to find such a wonderful guy like you.

Our love was the greatest. I really cannot think of one bad thing about our relationship, except how it ended. You were such a gentleman. You opened my door, bought me flowers, and did everything in your power to make me smile. I loved you, but I didn’t show it enough.

Society makes us girls think that we need to go for the bad boys. I kind of longed for a relationship where we would fight, and you would come over at two in the morning and kiss me in the pouring rain. But of course, that’s not the type of person you are. You’re way too kind. You never had a mean word to say to me. Maybe I let this stand in the way of our relationship. I thought that to be in love, we needed to be crazy and live for the moment, instead of just staying at home and watching movies.

So, when we had our first big fight, I did not do everything in my power to get you back. And to my surprise, you didn’t try that hard either. I wanted you for once to fight for me. I wanted you to drive to my house and tell me that you couldn’t live one second without me. You didn’t do that. We broke up. A month later you had moved on, and I thought I had, too.

Now, all these years later, I know now that what we had was true love. I like to think that I have gotten a little wiser since I was 16 years old. I wish I could find a guy like you now, one that opens my door and tells me I’m beautiful every single day. The time that we spent together will always hold a special place in my heart.

I not only lost you, but I lost your family. Your sister and I were best friends. I even pictured your mom and dad as my future mother- and father-in-law. Your parents did a great job of raising you. And, I know that the girl that gets to marry you will not only have the best husband, but also the best family.

As I close this letter, I want to thank you. Because of you, I know how I deserve to be treated. The next time that I start a new relationship, I will remember that the best quality to look for in someone is a heart as big as yours. You showed me what true love is. It just took me a few years to realize it. And for that, I am truly sorry.

Our paths may have gone in separate directions, but I just want you to know that I’m always in your corner rooting for you. You were the one that got away, and I hope that no other girl on this planet will ever be as stupid as I was to let you go.

Love Always,

The Girl Who Took You For Granted