Dear Ex-Boyfriend,

I know things probably did not end in the best way, and I also know that it was probably not all your fault. I hope you know that I truly loved and cared about you and that a piece of me will always be marked with you. We had good times, really amazing and perfect moments. But we also had moments that broke our hearts and our relationship. I hope you know that I still think of you and I wish you the best in life.

I hope that I taught you something, because you taught me so much. You taught me more of what I wanted in my future husband, and if I’m being honest more of what I don't want as well. You showed me how it felt to be loved by you and that is a precious gift; so thank you for sharing it with me even if for only a little while. Most of all, though, thank you for letting me love you. For helping me learn how to love better. From being with you I have learned more about what it means to put godly love into romantic action. I am a girl and in being that I am wonderfully made and complex — I can be selfish and giving. Thank you for being there still.

I have never regretted you. And there is something I want you to know: I am sorry. I know human beings are imperfect and we were the wrong imperfect for each other, but that doesn't give me an excuse to have hurt you. I know that I messed up and I hurt you because you have emotions. That was never my intention. I hope that you don't regret me. I hope that you can look back at our time together, and while it may be a little sad, you are still at least glad we had one another for the time we did. Even though you hurt me, I am so thankful for you. I hope that you find God’s path for your life and you find true happiness and a woman who will really be yours. Please understand that if you need me I will be there; you have seen me at my best and my worst; you were one of my best friends. I have your secrets and I will keep them.

I will always think of you as a great man for all the good you did; please keep growing in that. You can do so much good — don't let me or any other girl keep you from being all that you can be. So many times people focus on the girl not letting a guy overrun her life. But the same can happen to a guy by a girl. You are going places. Don't let anyone get in the way of that or make you feel any less than the man you are. Let me encourage you that you are a good man and a blessing to everyone.

And me, I’m doing fine. I am happy for the time I had and happy with the life I have now. I don't see me coming back but I will treasure the parts of you that you shared with me always. Thank you for teaching means for letting me go. For letting me, even though it was hard for us both, so that I could follow God’s plan for my life. For caring enough to let me go.

Thank you.