Dear Paly,

It’s been four years since our romance took first hold. I had heard a lot about you before I first set eyes on you, so I had some preconceived notions about what I should expect. Least to say, you surprised me.

Every day with you has been an adventure. Even though you have given me a hard time sometimes — or a lot of the time — I write to you today to thank you. Without you, I would not be the person I am today.

I give you crap a lot for your imperfections. You make me stressed, you make me angry, you make me annoyed. But sometimes in the moment, it’s hard to see the bigger picture, the real you. The real Paly I’ve come to know and love cares about me more than I could have asked for. You want me to be better than I am.

Sometimes when you come up with conversations with friends, I try to shove you to the side. I don’t like talking about you and your less-than-perfect qualities. But ten years from now, when I talk about you, I will be proud. I will be proud of all that you have taught me and confident in my newfound abilities.

The memories I have created with you have left a lasting impact on my soul. Ok, that’s a little bit too cheesy, but you know what I mean. I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve laughed with you, basked in the sun with you and made new friends with you. You have provided me with a setting that allows me to grow, albeit sometimes slowly and painfully.

You don’t know how much pain you’ve caused me. Sometimes I lay in bed at night just thinking and thinking, and soon my brain starts hurting because all I think about is you. I don’t like to admit it, but I’ve cried over you a few times. It’s not entirely your fault because that’s just how you are intrinsically.

As I begin this new chapter in my life, I know that you will be left in good hands. I know you are who you are and that it’s hard to change. That said, I want you to grow even more and involve into a better you. So many people in the future can benefit from your personal growth and I want others to experience for themselves the impact that you’ve had on me.

I’ve tried to better myself why I’ve been with you and I want you to try the same. You can learn to become more easy-going and more creative than you already are. You have so many unique qualities that are sometimes hidden from public view, but I want the world to see just know firsthand just how great you are.

Please know that you will always have a special place in my heart and even though our time together was rocky at times, I will try to use the lessons you’ve taught me to help propel me into the future.

With eternal gratitude,

Hillel Zand