unsent

Dear J,
It's now 2 years since that awful year began. September, 2003, so full of promise--a new love, a new school--and it turned out to be so horrid. Shortly after we broke up, I wrote to you that I was already feeling better, and you responded that things worked out that way for a reason--it was the only way to get to that point. At the time, I completely disagreed with you. I was devastated, scared, lonely. I didn't think I'd ever meet anyone who would be right for me.

But in the past two years, my life has changed so completely. I can feel it in the smile I have at the end of a satisfying day at school. I can feel it when I look at the mirror and like what I see, imperfections and all. I can feel it when I can laugh at the frustrations of the day. I can feel it when I don't let a stressful moment ruin my entire day.

I've met someone. His eyes sparkle when he looks at me, and when he puts his arms around me, I feel safe. He makes me laugh, he makes me think, he makes me feel wonderful. He is friendly and warm and sociable and he is a good cook. He is the love of my life.

So now? I'm starting to think you were right. Going through that year was the only way to get to this point. It's not so much that I've forgiven you, but at least I've taken what I needed to take away from the experience.
Fondly,
Happenstance