I think missing someone is the worst form of punishment for failed relationships. People walk away and then they miss each other. They think about each other. They wish each other a great day and then wonder if they did. Still, neither will approach the other due to lack of confidence and courage (people fear change).

When this happens, we often fail to remember why we gave up in the first place. I mean, how many of us can say that if it were meant to be, it would be? Everything can't just be thought about once and moved on from with carelessness. People will always leave if they don't see a solution, but I guess we don't really see the potential for successful relationships until we end them.

I think people who escape relationships are actually scared to become heavily invested in one. I admit that I have walked away from past relationships whenever it became too serious. I don't know why I ever did that.

Reflecting back on the past year, I realize that my relationships could have ended on a better note if I had acted on them differently. Everything could have been sweeter (maybe not totally sweet, but a lot less salty) if I wasn't so reckless with my own feelings or with others (I'm sorry).

I suppose we all unknowingly discover truths about ourselves some months later when we're sitting in our bedrooms wondering how we managed to end up alone, again.

The truth, though, is that people slip in and out of hearts like they do in swimming pools during the summertime. They will take their time to test the temperature of the water to determine if it's "just right," casually dipping their feet and allowing their fingers to trace the cool water.

This is a lot like meeting someone for the first time.

Others just jump in, satisfied by the splash and dangerously aware of the rupture that they caused in doing so. Jumpers, I've learned, will either become lovers or heartbreakers. They will never know the difference.

For everyone else, it just takes time before finally getting into the water. They have drowned before.

If they decide to take a swim, they will gradually allow their body and soul to sink into the crystal blue water that is your whole heart. Sometimes you get lucky. Sometimes you just get broken. Every swimmer, suitor or significant other is different.

Many of them will wade in the water hopelessly. Others will drown soundlessly until their lungs fill with water and they can no longer breathe. And some will simply swim from one side to the other in repetitive laps before finally leaving.

Once they leave, though, the water is never the same. It is either less blue or smaller in capacity, leaving little to no room for anyone after. However, in some cases, the water is much cleaner and more tranquil.

For every heart, it just takes time to decide whether or not it took that person to leave you to finally realize how much they meant to you. Once you run out of time, you move on or long for them.

If they don't miss you, you will either never know or always be reminded.

If they miss you, you will either never know or always be reminded.