Part 1: A Thank You Letter to My First Love

Honey, 

Every time I look back on the years we spent together, I am filled with gratitude. 

When we first met, I was just a young woman filled with so much doubt and insecurity. Your kindness, compassion, and unwavering love truly played a crucial role in my becoming more confident and at-ease in my own skin. 

Our first experiences with love and intimacy make a lasting imprint on how we view romantic relationships. I’m so glad that mine was with someone who showed me incredible patience and tenderness. Because of you, these are qualities I now know to look for in a partner.

Even though we were not meant to be, I know our love was no accident. We needed each other at the time. 

So…

Thank you for having the courage to fall head over heels in love with me.

Thank you for accepting my love with open arms. 

Thank you for being so kind and patient as I worked through jealousy, low confidence, and a lack of direction.

Thank you for showing me that men can be sensitive and emotionally supportive.

Thank you for moving across the world to see our story through. 

Thank you for taking care of me in small and meaningful ways, from making coffee every morning to making sure I always packed a phone charger. 

Thank you for embarking on incredible adventures with me. 

Thank you for giving me the space to get to know myself better, even though it meant us parting ways. 

Thank you for forgiving me for acting selfishly, even though you shouldn’t have needed to. 

Thank you for showing me the strength it takes to move on. I’ve continued to learn from you even in our break-up. 

My appreciation for you is endless and I wish you nothing but beautiful things.

Until we meet again,

JKW