Dear Friend,

Our friendship has always been important to me. We tell each other all of our secrets. We go to each other in every difficult situation. You have always given me the best advice at times I have needed it the most, even when I didn't want it. Now it is time for me to return the favor for you.

You talk to me all the time about your relationship. In the beginning, they were good things. You would tell me about the awesome dates you went on, the cute late night phone calls, and all the little things he did for you. Now, things are different. They aren't the way they were in the beginning. The happiness that glowed from you all the time is gone. You spend your late nights arguing instead of laughing. The dates you go on are growing more and more infrequent. You don't cry tears of joy or because he made you laugh too hard. You cry because he hurts you. You cry because he lies to you. You cry because the relationship you cherished so much isn't what it used to be. What do you do now?

Now, you feel stuck. This is a relationship you wanted so badly. You have already spent so much time building it. You thought it was going to go far. You thought you had finally found the guy you were meant to be with and all the crap you had to deal with in the past was over with. You think to yourself that if you give it just a little more time, if you try a little harder, it will work out. You will ruin yourself trying to repair the pieces of a relationship you just can't save. As your friend, I can see this. I can see that there is too much hurt, too many lies, and too many chances. I'll do my best to convince you that you need to move on from this. I'll try to show you that better is out there, and it's waiting. However, you aren't going to take my advice because like many lessons life has to give, this is one you have to learn yourself.

When the right time comes, you'll see that your perfect relationship has become super crappy. After you've given your last chance, after you've cried your last tear, when you've been told one last lie, you'll be done. I'll be waiting to help pick you back up, and show you that there is more to life than a relationship you just aren't happy in. If you're in the "stuck" phrase right now and aren't sure what to do, here's some advice to help you get through the storm ahead:

You are a gift. You are an incredible human being with tons to offer. This relationship may have made you happy at one point, but it doesn't anymore. I know that you want it to work out for the better, but unfortunately it just wasn't meant to be. I hope you find comfort in the fact that while this didn't end well, there is a relationship out there that will. There is a plan for you. In that plan, you will find someone who cherishes all your amazing qualities. They will love you despite all of your flaws. They will never hurt you the way others have and most importantly, they will never give up on your relationship. They will always make you happy, and you'll get to spend your life with them. Things seem bad now, but just remember, you're running a race, and with the end of this relationship, you are one step closer to crossing the finish line.

Love,

Your friend who cares.