Dear The-One-That-Could-Have-Been,
This one is for you. Or should I say, all of you, because you’ve come back to my life, over and over as different people. Charming, lovely people, who could have easily become Person; but didn’t. I hope you’re doing well.
I know, it’s a little awkward, considering you turned me down, but don’t worry. I’m not going to harp on about how much I still love you, and how desperately heartbroken I am, that things didn’t work out. I loved you, you did not, and that is just fine.
Thank you for teaching me that rejection does not mean that there is something wrong with me, just that we have different needs.
I’m glad you were honest with me. I’m glad that you respected both of us enough to not put us through the ordeal of a failed relationship.
Thank you for pointing out my shortcomings in ways that I would never forget. Your words keep me grounded and motivate me to do better every day.
Being in love with someone doesn’t entitle you to their love. You taught me that. You made me realise that to be loved by someone, I have to be a lot more impressive, a lot better myself. I’m working on that.
Thank you for teaching me that sometimes people can just be plain mean, and that’s how the world works. And it’s up to me how I take it and how I grow, no one else.
Thanks to you, I’m more confident, more resilient and much, much stronger emotionally. Thank you for turning me down. Thank you, for giving me an opportunity to fall in love with myself.
We should meet again sometime!
Love,
The-One-That-Was-Not.