Football player. Crazy fun. Broke my heart repeatedly in grade 12 and after. Your familial life story is filled with grief and sadness, I sincerely hope that you’ve found peace among it all. And a little humility, too.

Grade 7, first kiss under the big tree beside our driveway. Smiles and freckles, I remember. You’re sweet, kind. I learned from the lesson that being cool isn’t worth the price of friendship. Hope your life is blessed.

You were my “first”. When you dumped me you said I was “too big”. I was a 5′6″, 132 lbs gymnast. You were 5′4 and wrestled at 112 pounds. Which one of us was outside the norm? Jerk.

Boyfriend and Prom Date, 1986. First date – Red Lobster and a movie. Enjoyed your parents company. You were one year older, distance after you graduated did me in. You’re a genuinely nice guy, I hope you’ve done well.

Grade 8 boyfriend. I was simply smitten. We danced together. You kissed me until I couldn’t catch a breath in the privacy of an abandoned milk truck. Your eyes were like bright blue sunlit pools in the Caribbean.