I remember being in third grade having a crush on the same boy three years in a row… he was in my class and I got to sit next to him in fifth grade. Let me tell you, my heart was pounding! But since then I’ve grown up. I’ve had “real” relationships with boys and I’ve made mistakes and I’ve had my heartbroken. But I can see now that there was so much I learned from this boy in elementary school.

1. You taught me that being so interested in one person is a real thing

I remember circling your picture in the yearbook and constantly talking about you to my cousins. Let me tell you, they were annoyed but it didn’t matter. I had eyes for you and let me tell you, to me, that was okay.

2. You taught me what butterflies felt like

The first time we hugged outside of school before we left to walk home. I was crazy nervous because it felt like the pressure was on but how sweet is that?

3. You taught me kindness

Remember when you gave me your home phone number and I called you a million times but hung up? Wow, how embarrassing! But the next day, you laughed it off and made me still feel okay… even though your mom was probably not.

4. You taught me hope

I’ve never forgotten about you. I think about you sometimes, and every now and then, when I run into at the grocery store I always wonder if you remember those days.

5. You taught me what being a silly teenage girl was all about

I can’t even begin to tell you how crazy I was. Getting your phone number and then, remember when EMAIL was THE thing?! You gave me yours and I didn’t realize it was actually your moms!!!!!! Oh wow… I emailed you so many times about stupid things but when “you” responded, I was so thrilled.

6. You’ve taught me friendship

But okay, we were nine. But even though you were my “boyfriend” you were really my best friend. Thank you for teaching me the way a special friendship should be.

As the years go by and we headed to different schools, I remember those years as some of my favorite. We were innocent, relationships hadn’t hurt us yet. I hope that someday when I have kids of my own, I can tell them about my first crush and how exciting it was, especially when you liked me back. So thank you for teaching me important lessons. I hope that maybe, I made that kind of impact on you as well.