Taylor Swift is notorious for taking famous relationships and turning them into songwriting material. This skill makes her music universally relatable amongst all 20-somethings. In Taylor's tried and true tradition, here is a letter to every boy I've ever liked.
Dear “You Belong With Me,”
I see now so much more than I did way back then. Like this song, things were all together simple but I had to make them complicated—You remain a supporting role in the coming of age film that is my life. While I don’t think now that we belong together, I sure did at one point. Even if you ended up with the girl I couldn’t stand and we were both still so immature, you were a lesson for me. Neither of us were ready for one another. I still think, years and years later, you’ve got a smile that could light up a whole town.
Dear “Dear John,”
What was that charade we were playing? Don’t you think I was to young to be messed with? You’re a dizzying memory, fading faster and faster all the time. My blind optimism kept me playing a pawn in your game far too long. I’ve learned more from you than just about anyone, and probably lost just as much trust. You, my terrible friend, were a “live and learn” kind of story. Naivety and optimism were echoing in my head so loudly I couldn't hear the truth for months. Now I’m still shining like fireworks over your empty town. I will hold my head up high.
Dear “Wonderland”,
Everything about us was an “almost.” It almost pains me to think about—if I could go back and change something, I would in a heartbeat. You taught me how to see the good in people, you made my heart light after heavy times, you were more optimistic about me than I was. Thank you for your effort in our friendship, our “almost.” Thank you for falling down the rabbit hole with me for a while, though I'm not sure when we lost one another. In another universe, I hope our planets actually collided instead of their unsynchronized orbits. I hope you are happy in your new city. I hope you found what you've been looking for. You deserve a perfect love and all of the adventures in life you may find.
Dear “Enchanted,”
Though time was short, I am thankful for the time we had. You came out of my life as quickly as you swept in, and I will always wonder if I said the ‘right’ things or did the ‘right’ things or what could have been different. But all I know is that night was magical and I loved every minute of walking through the city after it rained. Whether it was talking about Blink-182, your cats or politics, your eyes lit up and there was laughter. You were exactly the kind of moment I needed to happen. I was enchanted to meet you, blushing all the way home.
Dear “The Story of Us,”
We had a good thing there for a long time, didn’t we? I’d like to think so but I’m still not sure. Our story did not reach the pleasant end I was anticipating, but it has brought necessary lessons in the months which followed. Sure, there were problems that I thought maybe we could have worked through. Maybe I was never quite what you thought you wanted or knew you needed. Nonetheless, it was a pleasant, quiet love we shared. I think for months we were too comfortable to even see the faults in it. You made your choices, and I chose mine. So the story of us looks a lot like a tragedy now. The end.
Dear “Wildest Dreams,”
Dear “Begin Again,”
We haven't met yet, to my knowledge. In fact, I can't even be certain you exist. But I will remain hopeful because I’d like to think something cosmic will pull us near. Do you think about me a much as I wonder about you? The stories you'd tell about growing up and all of your hopes and fears. Us building a future from a past and a present. On a Wednesday in a café, I hope one day we both get the chance to begin again.
