You were the first to really capture my heart and challenge me the way I needed. You were the first to take me on a date. You were the first to get to know me in ways many people would never get to. You were also my first heartbreak.

They say our first love will always stay in our hearts. I think that saying is so very true. You never can stop caring about someone, especially when they used to have so much of your heart. I may not always love you, but I can guarantee that I will always care. It doesn't matter how we ended because it's the times before that, that I will always smile back on.

I want to say thank you. You were such a big part of my life and led to what made me who I am today, both good and the ugly. Thank you for the memories, the laughs,and the adventures. I am lucky to look back on such times in my life and recollect such joy. Thank you for showing me how to love someone for what they are. Thank you for breaking my heart.

Why do I thank you for all the nights I stayed up crying or the fights we had? Simple. It led me to where I am today. Because of your neglect and careless ways, I was able to grow on my own. I learned that I should never put up with such cruel behavior. It allowed me to set expectations and comparisons. It showed me that if I can love the wrong person so much, the right person in my life will be wonderful.

Because of the lies you told me, I am no longer naïve. I no longer worry about what my current significant other may be doing because I know that if they really wanted to go out and do me wrong, they will. No matter how much I beg them and hope, people do as they please. Thank you for showing me that.

You pushed me away. You were the first person I truly opened up to and shared my inner thoughts and ideas. You knew this, yet you continued to turn your back on me. I didn't see it coming, but I should have picked up on it due to the minimal texts, the ignored calls, and the excuses to not see me. You made me guard myself in walls that the next person will have to try all their might to break down.

Your childish and immature ways were hard for me to deal with, but I learned you were just that, childish. I needed someone to really rely on in a relationship. I realized that no matter how much I wished it was you, it couldn't be. No matter how much chemistry we had or laughs we managed to always share, you were simply not meant to be with me. I struggled with the end of our relationship. I cried over the loss of you. But one day, I looked in the mirror and saw a new person because of you.

I still look back and smile at the memories. I find pictures that make me laugh. But I will never miss you anymore. I am at peace knowing that you were just a stepping stone in my life. You taught me how to love carelessly, how to stand up for myself and how to move on.

I hope you are doing well in your life now. I hope that you found some one that is good for you in ways I was not. I hope you treat them well and love them unconditionally. I hope that life is going as well for you as it is for me.