I Thought You Were My Forever, But I Was Wrong

We imagined a picture that we never actually painted. We talked about the future and planned to spend the rest of our lives together, but that didn’t happen. Even though it was hard to say goodbye, I’m glad you showed me that love like that was possible. To the guy I thought was my forever, this is what I want you to know:

1. You changed me for the better. Although our relationship might have been hard at times, I remember all the ways it was good. When I met you, I was someone much different than the woman I am today. I was lost and scared. I had no idea of my true capabilities. You showed me kindness, simplicity, fairness, family and what it meant to have a partner in life who was also my best friend. You brought out a softness inside of me that has never died.
2. You’re the reason I hold on to hope. When we talked about our possible wedding day, looked at rings together and daydreamed about what we’d name our children someday, you truly made me realize what forever really means. And although we weren’t each other’s forever, I can still place myself back in those moments where that hope was so alive. It’s that hope that keeps me going.
3. You taught me that good times may not last, but good people do. You taught me to value myself and to not allow myself to get caught up in situations that broke me down. You taught me there would be dark days and brighter ones, but that no matter how deep the pits of darkness got, the good people I could depend on would always be there for me, and that’s all that matters.
4. It’s OK that we changed our minds. Sometimes crap just doesn’t work out, and it was a sad reality the morning I woke up next to you and knew it just wasn’t right anymore. We were great together, but it just wasn’t meant to be the forever story that would carry us until the end. I want you to know that leaving you was hard — so hard. You were a promise I knew was real, but deep down I think we both knew that it had to be this way.
5. I think about you often. I always wonder how you are, but I hear from acquaintances you’re doing well. You’ve found someone who I hope will be your forever, because you deserve the happy ending we once thought was us. Even though our ending was heartbreaking, I’m happy we’ve finally gotten to a place where we’re both free and happy once again.
6. We’re both better off. This might come as no surprise, but at the time, everyone thought we were crazy. They thought we needed to fight harder for each other to try and make our relationship work. We both know now how right our ending truly was. We both went on to fulfill dreams we never thought possible when we were together. The truth is, we were fighting for something much greater — ourselves. We were fighting for our own dreams; dreams that we were too blinded to chase because we were too consumed with each other to build upon ourselves.
7. I wish you the best, forever. At the time, we were young. We were reckless and afraid to gamble on the possibility of never until we finally made the leap into separate directions. I’ll never forget the days I walked with you by my side. And even though you’ve left a footprint of a broken love in my heart, I truly wish you the best for the rest of those steps you take without me.