Jaiden,

This must be very, very rough for you,

And I’m sorry that it had to happen like this.

Rest assured, this is hard for me too.

Making the decision was something I did

Because I thought it would make things easiest.

College is already on its way,

Life is changing,

We are changing,

Time is changing.

We both knew this would have to happen sooner or later,

And it does suck.

But I want you to know that it was never

Because of anything you did.

You were always an amazing girlfriend,

And excellent friend,

And a wonderful person.

You still are.

So don’t think you ever did anything wrong,

This isn’t a punishment.

Honestly, things would be totally different

If time wasn’t pressed against our backs.

But we both knew something like this would

Happen sooner or later.

That’s the magical thing about the universe,

It always balances itself out.

There has never been joy without pain.

Everything must fall once it has been raised.

Every day has its night.

Every mountain makes a valley.

It’s all part of a cycle built on an

Infinite wave of ups and downs.

So things might be bad right now.

They might be bad for a long, long time.

But they will get better.

They will always get better.

Never forget that.

So, if this, or anything else,

Is ever hard to let go of, just remember

That it’s because something wonderful happened,

And now the universe needs you to pay a price.

But whatever happened was certainly wonderful enough

To make you feel terrible,

And that’s a blessing. Life is short and ever-changing.

Our time is limited,

And as simple, insignificant humans,

The most we can do is enjoy the dance.

Love deeply,

Sing loudly,

Share your secrets,

And never stop asking questions.

So don’t feel bad about mourning,

It’s just another part of living.

Cry,

Cry whenever it is needed,

But never forget the good times.

Never forget why you cry,

Or, more importantly,

Why you smiled at the start.

So take that energy,

Find what makes that smile,

And pursue it relentlessly.

Chase it to the ends of the earth,

Because if you don’t, who will?

I can’t guarantee that you will do wonderful things.

I can’t guarantee that life will always treat you fairly.

But I promise that if you look for love

Wherever you travel,

The universe itself will smile upon you.

Open your heart,

Open your hands,

Close your eyes,

And leap.

Let the world swallow you whole.

Never be afraid to drown,

Because some don’t get the chance to swim.

From the deepest well of my heart,

Thank you Jaiden,

For everything.

-AL