Rick, 

I’m sorry that I wanted so badly to believe you were “just another guy,” that I acted in a way that made you confirm my warped and twisted views. 

Now you’re out of my life and I’m truly saddened. 

I know you admitted to me that you have your issues – but I was truly blown away by you. If I had gone through the things you’ve gone through – I’d be a completely different person – sour, hardened and irreversibly bitter. 

But you are a beautiful person. A true man. A strong man. So funny, so kind, so thoughtful, so open, so caring. 

I now understand how my willingness to believe that you’d hurt me affected our relationship. For whatever reason, I actually WANTED you to disappear. I wanted you to stop contacting me, texting, cooking, ordering me that extra Appletini and being so attentive. But you didn’t. You continued to do those things. I remain under the impression that you wouldn’t have stopped, had I not acted in my usual overbearing ways. I have no idea why I resent the men I trust. 

I understand why you made your decision to stop answering my texts and I don’t think you’re a jerk because of it. You’re not. I know that. That’s just not you.

I have said this to you before, but I have never met a man like you. You expanded my mind and healed my wounds, in the short time I spent with you, and that should not and does not go unnoticed. 

You saved me with your kindness. Your spirit. Your passion. And for months, no one had been able to do that – except you. You showed me that there were things to be missed in this world – and men like you are one of them. 

You made an impact in my life just by being you and that speaks volumes about who you truly are.

I know things will never work out between us. We’re battling our own demons. We’re at different points in our lives. But you saved me, and I thank you. 

Stay the coolest, my man. 

Natalie, age 21