Love Always, Anna

Hey,

Did I ever tell you about that time in third grade when we met? I was playing at Christina’s house, and you were playing street hockey outside. Christina knew all of you because you lived on the same block and went to Sargent together. I had never met any of you before; I lived across town and went to Poughkeepsie Day. She waved and said hello, trying mostly to get your older brother’s attention. They all grunted and half waved, to cool to be bothered with little girls. You were different though. You stopped, waved and asked how she was. When she introduced me you said hello, asked where I went to school. As soon as you said ‘Cool’ and skated off I was in love.

Massive crush doesn’t even begin to describe the decade of feelings that followed. The fates smiled on me when you were who I got seated next to when I came to Sargent halfway through the year in fifth grade. It was the start of a friendship I had no idea would mean so much to me. Rombout strengthened our bonds, you were the only boy who never said a mean thing to me. That’s a feat for boys, even friends, in middle school.  

By the time ninth grade rolled around I was caught in my own world. Attendance wasn’t really my forte, and I wandered between groups of friends. Even though we were both AP students we didn’t have many classes together freshman or sophomore year. You were always around a corner with a smile and a wave though. When my mom died sophomore year, nobody really knew what to say. A lot of people couldn’t act normal around me or even look me in the eye for months. Not you though, I’ll never forget the day I came back to school and saw you. You caught me at my locker. You just gave me the biggest hug and said I’m sorry. That’s all. You walked away, but it was the most sincere thing anyone said to me. 

From that moment on you were the only one of my friends who never tried to give me advice on the situation. You never tried to tell me how to feel, or what to say. You always listened though. Really listened. I can’t tell you how much that meant to me. You’re the only person to this day who’s done that.

Junior and Senior year we were thick as thieves again. You were always one of my favorites. You and I could have a full conversation with a glance. I’ll never forget racing on route 9 in your car on the way home from the drive-in. I laughed so hard that night my abs were sore the next day.

College came and we drifted a little. Three thousand miles will do that to people. You never missed a birthday though. When I came home to visit you were one of the first people I called. The crazy week stints I spent in Tree City are filled with memories that include you. Then I didn’t come home for two years. I missed you terribly but was afraid to tell you. Time and space can change people. 

Not us though. You were just as on board with getting our friendship back as Iwas. Music to my ears. I now get off the phone with a smile. Not only remembering our childhood, but excited for the future of our friendship. I’ve had lots of best friends who were guys, I’ve had lots of romantic interests, coworkers, classmates… they just don’t make ‘em like you. You are kind to a fault, genuine, understatedly funny, and loyal. I’m so lucky o have a friend of your caliber. 

Come to the sunshine state. I miss you fella.

Love Always, Anna

Dear Jack,

Life got in the way. We grew up. we grew apart. I know we both could have tried a little harder. I think thats the point though. We knew that it was time. There were so many things for us both to face, it was time to drop the security blanket. 

That doesn’t mean I don’t miss you though. I love you very much. I love that you’ve really embraced who you are. I can see the happiness and accomplishment in your eyes. I’m so happy for you. I see so many good things on the horizon for you. You’re going to do well for yourself. 

I’m always here whenever you need me. I love you more than you know, and I hope one day we will be close again. You’ve done more for me than I could ever tell you!

Love Always, Karen

Ryan,

Let me preface this letter by saying your girlfriend means more to me than anything. I love her unconditionally, and support her in any decision she makes. Normally I wouldn’t take time out of my day to acknowledge someone I dislike as much as you, but she means more to me than that. That is why I am taking the time to write this letter and get it out of my system before it destroys my friendship.

First of all grow up. You are almost thirty years old; you behave as if you were half that. Possessiveness, bickering, and hypocrisy are not flattering qualities on a grown man. Forest is your girlfriend, not your daughter. You don’t need to know where she is every second of everyday. She is an adult, and the fact that you give her a curfew is absurd. Only letting her go out with her friends if she leaves by 11:30 is ridiculous. You limit her from doing so many things in her life because she is afraid of what you’ll do. The amazing study abroad opportunity? No thanks, Ryan will throw a fit and ruin my stay with whiny child like behavior. Getting a job? Can’t ryan wants me to have the same exact schedule as him so I can’t work weekends. Modeling jobs that pay well? Gotta turn ‘em down cause their might be men on set or partial nudity. Be a man and for once think about what’s right for her instead of what you want.

 Second, I think you are one of the biggest hypocrites I’ve ever met. You constantly give Forest shit because of the way guys might potentially treat her. “They’re always gonna hit on you. They might touch you. Take advantage of you when you/ they’re drunk” Yet you sat by and idly  watched as two drunken assholes objectified, harassed, and humiliated me. You laughed. You could hear me yelling at them. You watched me push them away, and you did nothing. Nothing. You laughed. I know I’m tough and turn everything into sarcasm but if you were a gentleman you would have done something. You don’t deserve her. I hope someone does steal her away in a nightclub. I hope he’s charming, and handsome, and cherishes her like she deserves. I hope he see’s all of her potential and pushes her to achieve more. Instead of smothering her and making her afraid like you do. 

Thirdly, stop with your holier than though attitude. Just because some one you don’t like says something you don’t agree with doesn’t mean you need to instigate. Think about what that person might mean to her and the position you put her in when she has to be divided between people she cares about. Especially, when it’s on Facebook. I come back to the point that you’re thirty. Suck it up and play nice. If you need lessons I’d be glad to give you a few because I’ve been pretending to love you for quite awhile now. I know how much it hurt her when she lost friend over you. That’s why I’ve held this in for so long. That’s while I’ll continue to play nice. I love her. When you love someone you put what they need before what you need. 

A few weeks ago a friend asked her if she could see herself marrying you. She freaked. It’s still bothering her, weeks later. She says that it’s because she’s too young. She’s not in that place at all, babies scare her. That’s all partially true. I think the real reason is that she knows deep down she’s not really happy. I think she knows that marriage with you, the way you behave now, would leave her trapped and unhappy forever. If you’ve been with someone for nearly three years, you know if you want to be with them forever or not. Her heart is telling her she doesn’t. I believe she thinks loves you. I also believe she deserves better.  

I hope you change, or I hope she gets the courage to make the changes in her life that she needs. 

Love Always, Anna

Dear Friend,

I know we’re both where we need to be, but I miss you. I know once you leave home it’s hard to stay in contact, even with the people you love. I see the strong person you’ve become. You don’t let the past affect you and you seem to be so at ease now. I miss the way we used to laugh. One glance and we’d both know exactly what the other was thinking. How we put up with everyone else I still can’t figure out. Life inevitably pulls people apart. If we can get it back in some way, I’m here and I’m ready. I hope that life is kind to you. I hope that you’re getting all of the happiness you deserve, you sure have brought me a lot over the years. I hope I get to see you soon! I miss and love you terribly. More than you’ll ever know. 

Love Always, Anna

Forest,

“If you should die before me, ask if you could bring a friend.”
- Stone Temple Pilots

There are only so many ways you can tell a person you love them before you run out of words; but there are infinite ways you can show them. Thats what you have taught me, and continue to show me everyday. There are few things that I am certain of, the fact that I would be lost with out you is one I will never doubt.
You are one of the most generous and open hearted people I have ever come across. I am continually amazed by the things you do for others, especially me. You are one of the few that actually will put aside your own agenda to help those around you. I hope you know how much I truly appreciate all you do.
I have more good memories with you than with anyone else I know. I wouldn’t trade them for anything. Sometimes it scares me how truly alike we are. It has been said said that friendship is one soul sharing two bodies, that may be the case. I look forward to every second I spend with you and I’m so glad you Facebook asked me to be your best friend.
I’m so happy to see you coming into your own and that you have found a little slice of happiness. I know amazing things await you and I can’t wait to experience them with you. 
I will love you always and forever!
Anna