To the One That Got Away
1) Thank you for showing me how a man is supposed to treat a lady.
You opened my doors in a kind way, not demeaning me because I'm a woman. I say that because there are two types of men, the kind that sees us as equal and the kind that won't even throw us a football because you think you'll injure us. Thank you for being the kind that sees me as equal, while politely doing my heavy lifting, just because you could ;).
2) Thank you for showing me that good men do exist in this world.
I've always appreciated you being the first guy to respect me enough to not pressure me towards anything I didn't want to do. I never felt awkward and never had to worry about being alone with you.
3) Thank you for joking with me.
Thanks for sitting for hours and carrying on conversations under "what if" circumstances and laughing until we cried. Thanks for begging me for hours to be my first red carpet date and for promising to never be mad if I left you for Justin Timberlake (but only if you could have Jessica Biel- which you can under those circumstances!!).
4) Thank you for taking me seriously.
Even though you were older than me, you still listened to every word I said, never laughed at my opinions (or even the moments where I had no idea what I was talking about), and supported me through every dream I had.
5) Thank you for being you the whole time, and not giving me a side that you thought I'd want to know.
Since you, I've moved to LA and have learned to truly appreciate your realness with me. I've started seeing past relationships for what they were and why they fell apart, and it's nice to know that you gave me who you are.
6) Thank you for teaching me that being together doesn't mean we have to entertain each other, but that it's just fine to sit together not saying a word- but just being together is enough.
In the beginning, it's a relief when the words flow naturally between each other, but it's even more beautiful when we don't have to say a word to each other and still feel together. After my world was turned upside down, when you sat with me quietly, either in my office or on the couch or even in your truck, meant more to me than you'll ever know. Because of that, I knew I could tell you what no one else knew, and you were my rock through the entire experience. I can't thank you enough.
7) Thank you for not being afraid to cry with me.
In the beginning you showed me your strength, but when those hurts came that almost took who I was, you showed me it's not bad to cry. You showed me you cared and showed me your heart, which means more to me than you'll ever know.
Even though we never used the words "I love you," and you weren't exactly the first love I ever had, I do love you. Maybe not in a "love of my life" kind of way, because honestly I never had the chance to see if you were. But I love you for showing me how good relationships can be and that I should never settle. It may hurt to know you're gone, but congratulations- and I hope she knows how lucky she is.
Taylor Swift said it best, "you probably think I've either moved on or hate you, cause each time you reach out there's no reply. I bet it never occurred to you that I can't say hello to you and risk another goodbye." I think that quote sums up this section, because I can't be friends with you- and it takes everything within me to not be your friend.
