“If you love something, set it free”

I never understood that

until you.

From the moment I met you,

you felt familiar

like I’d known you before.

Even as strangers,

you lit something in me

so pure

so rare

I just knew—you’d be everything.

You loved me gently.

You saw me,

held space for me,

gave me light

when I didn’t even know

there was any left in me.

You were my first love,

but more than that

you were my person,

my peace,

my safe place

in a loud world.

Letting you go

broke something in me

but I wasn’t a kid anymore.

I couldn’t hold on

just to keep you close.

I had to love you enough

to want your freedom,

even if it meant losing your presence.

I would’ve moved heaven and earth

to keep us,

but instead

I set you free.

Our love didn’t last—

but the memories,

the way you shaped me,

those stay.

They always will.

And though I may never say it

I love you.

Quietly.

still.

Forever.