I continue to be amazed by the various times I’ve received what I call “letters from past loves” … or rather, long text messages that read like letters from people who are no longer in my life in the same capacity, but who continue to mutually share a profound reverence and gratitude for the fact that we crossed paths once upon a time in a very special way.
Whenever I receive a message like this—often out of the blue, after lots of time has passed since things ended between us—it hits me like a ton of bricks; all of a sudden it’s like a montage of precious moments between us goes through my mind. It doesn’t matter how many years have gone by since we had our “season” together; every single person I’ve ever truly let in (which I admit isn’t a large number) has kept a special place in my heart, even though it’s different now. Even though we were never meant to last.
While wonderfully unique, each “letter” is also strangely similar. Beneath the nuance is the same underlying sentiment: I am grateful to have crossed paths with you, even if it was only for a short while. If it hadn’t been for you, I wouldn’t have been prepared for this next stage of my life. I wish you the best.
I am always moved to tears after that. How lucky am I to have known people for whom I continue to respect and care for, even if they no longer play a central role in my life? How lucky am I to continue receiving affirmation that I am, indeed, still lovable—even if that love cannot come from them specifically?
Although my heart swells with gratitude, there is another part of me that can’t help but dream that maybe one day I will connect with someone this strongly once again… Except this time we won’t have to say goodbye.
– Celine (@itscelinediaz)
Celine Diaz: Real Talk 