Young Heartache & A Letter to Me

Lately I've been keeping a young Loved One in my thoughts.

Young heartache-it's such a complicated thing, isn't it?

I'm sure we can all testify to being victims of young heartache at one time in our lives.

And now I know that the only thing equally heartbreaking as being hurt by the person you love the most, is watching a Loved One go through this.

While thinking of LO, I couldn't help but wonder how I ever healed from my first heartbreak.
Time, I guess.
But telling someone that 'time will heal' isn't going to take the pain away quickly enough.
I know it wouldn't have helped me back then.

Seventeen. Head over heels. Infatuated & convinced my life was complete.

Then one day

Devastated. Alone. And left to pick up the pieces.
And he was completely oblivious.
Nothing my friends said could change my mind.


Now, looking back at my life, I have no regrets.
I am twenty-four. Head over heels. In love & positive my life is complete.
This is so cliche, but I wish I had known back then, what I know today.
And if I could write a letter to that beautiful 17-year old girl who was crying into her pillow every night, I'd tell her:

Dear Loved One,
You have no idea how strong you are.
And even though you feel like your world has ended, I promise you, it's only just the beginning.
It's okay to read his messages over and over wondering whatever it was you did wrong.
But know this, you did nothing wrong.
It's okay to cry into your pillow every night.
Just don't forget to pray too.
Pray for healing.
Pray for strength.
And don't forget to pray for the boy who stole your heart & broke it.
Because when he finally realizes the mistake he made, he's going to need just as much healing.
And one day, the boy who broke your heart will come crawling back to you.

Apologizing like a fool.

And wanting you back.

You will have the strength to forgive him, to look at him right in the face and know that he will never be able to hurt you ever again. 

Dear Loved One,
You have no idea how beautiful you are.
You tell yourself you're not pretty enough for him.
Not pretty enough for anyone to ever want you ever again.
But one day, you will blossom into someone so beautiful that you won't be able to keep the boys away.
Your daddy will take your car keys away to prevent you from getting out of the house.
Your mom will threaten to cut your hair short to make you look ugly.
But that isn't enough to conceal the beautiful young woman that you are becoming.
Maybe you're crying now because you had hopes and dreams of doing everything with this boy.
You're thinking who's going to ask you to the school dance now.
But one day, a dashing young Marine will ask you to be his wife.
And then you'll definitely be crying because you can't believe he picked you.
By the way, don't believe anyone when they tell you that having kids will ruin your body.
You'll see.

Dear Loved One,
You have no idea how blessed you are.
Always, always remember the saying that "one man's trash is another man's treasure".
Because when one door closes, God will open another one.
A better one full of treasures.
You're thinking that you don't want anyone else but him.
You are so convinced he is the one.
But get ready for an adventure.
You will not believe the doors God will open for you,
all the plans He has for you.
And just wait until you meet your baby boy--he's amazing.

You have no idea how loved you are.
Right now, you're thinking that nobody understands you.
That your parents could not possibly know what you are going through.
They only prevent you from doing the things you want to do.
You want to do whatever it takes to win him back, but they won't let you.
Yes, looking back I still agree they were a bit over the top.
But they love you.
Preventing you from seeing the boy is the only way they know to protect you.
Because believe it or not, seeing you hurt is twice as heartbreaking for them to watch.
And you're so busy trying to win the love from someone who's not willing to give it,
That you forget to embrace the love pouring down on you from everyone else.

Dear Loved One,
Tonight you'll be crying into your pillow again.
I know how much you're hurting.
I understand exactly how you feel.
You're scared.
Scared of being lonely forever.
You're scared to run into him in public.
What would he think of you, knowing he has the ability to control your emotions like that.
Your eyes are puffy & you haven't eaten in days.
Then you're scared that the sight of him might make you break down again.
So get a good cry out tonight.
& pray hard.
Don't be afraid to move on.
Don't be afraid to let the man of your dreams see the beautiful girl you are
Don't be afraid to open that door.
It may take awhile but with God,
That's how the lost get found. 
Love,
Me