Looking back on our relationship that we had, I immediately knew you were the one that made my heart feel sparks that I had never felt. You reminded me of the relationship that I wanted and want to have, and I did the same for you. We met in the perfect place. We were perfect for each other.

We met on the beach over in the Bahamas on December 22nd, 2016, where we had seen each other's families during the day in the warm yet beautiful sunshine, where you were with your younger sister and your father, and I was with my family. I recall watching you and your sister put sand on your father and have an absolutely great time on the beach. I got to spend time in the pool on our cruise ship with you to really build an emotional connection. I got to know you better and hearing about your story made me realize that we had a lot in common. We both had the same views on what God is, and that was the basis. We had the same morals, such as opening the door, having proper manners, and about the importance of mutual respect in a relationship. We even attend school in the same state. We were both also able to have things we do when we weren't necessarily with one another, and I loved that we could both have our independence too.

I was blessed to be able to eat meals with you and to meet your family. I got to let your family know about me too. I even got to attend a Christmas service that your father led, and I got to see you attend that same service, where we sang worship songs and I got to see you sing. I loved (and still love) your dedication to God and to family. I loved to do worship with you as well. I met your dad and I knew from him that there was mutual respect between him and me.

I introduced you to my mother and father, and I knew that they liked you as well. At that point I was fully confident that we had something that would last for a long time..

A couple nights later, I walked outside in the evening on our cruise ship when it was dark outside and people were just relaxing before they retire for the evening, and I saw you, and I was happy to share some alone time with you. We initially were friends but I started to develop deeper feelings, and I realized that you were feeling them too. We held each other's hand for the first time, and that was when the sparks really hit. I recall spending time deep into the night with you and that was a feeling that I hadn't felt. I remember you saying, "I'm in love with you" where I felt the same way. We shared our first kiss, of what I hoped would be many that were yet to come. When it came time to go to bed, I kissed you good night after we rode the elevator.

The next day came, on Tuesday, and I kissed you as we greeted each other, and I was really joyed to see you. You told me you were going to the pool, and I went to get a drink. I saw you enjoying your time with your family, and I was really happy for you. I appreciated that you were able to do things outside of being with me, and I was able to do the same by enjoying a drink and some alone time.

When Wednesday came, I knew it was time to say good-bye to our wonderful cruise ship, the Motor Ship (M.S.) Zuiderdam, and it was time for us to go home. I wanted to see you again but I was unfortunately not able to. It broke my heart not to continue our relationship after we both went home with our families.

Once I checked out of the facility and went with my family to hitch a ride back to our car, I was already missing you. It hurt me to realize that we wouldn't be able to continue the relationship. What's sad is that those feelings are no longer there, and I realized that they were disappearing the day we left the cruise. What's sad, also, is I don't have you in my life anymore. But there will always be your chapter. I'll never forget it, even though I don't have those feelings anymore and I've moved on. I'll look back and remember it, even though the ending was a difficult one. Even though I've moved on, it hurt that I lost a special person, I lost a chunk of my heart, and I lost a relationship, but I am thankful for you. Even though I lost the relationship we had, I am thankful for your reminder of what I should be looking for. Even though I wasn't able to continue loving you, I am thankful for you. Even though I lost you.