To the girl who loves him next

Hi.

I don't really know how to start this, but I'm sure you know all about me. Or maybe not. If I had to introduce myself it would be as the girl who loved him before you.

I loved him. I lost him. And the weeks leading up to the end and the weeks after were heartbreaking.

So I'm writing to you to maybe prevent heartache of your own.

To the girl who loves him next,

He's pretty great isn't he? That boy of yours? I think so too. 

Please take care of him.

Letting him go was one of the hardest things I've done, don't make me regret it.

Make sure to hold his hand and kiss him a lot, even in public. He will act annoyed and embarrassed about your big display of PDA but secretly he'll love it. 

He loves hunting, a lot. He will hunt often and talk about it a lot. Listen to him and if he invites you to go, do it. He'll appreciate you taking an interest in something he loves.

He'll make you laugh and smile. He tells outrageous stories and jokes, he'll get excited as he tells them. Cherish those moments. Those are some of my favorite memories.

He's polite. A real sweet country gentleman. Let him open the door for you, he takes pride in it.

He'll tease you past the point of exhaustion, don't get frustrated with him. He only does it because he thinks your reaction is cute. Don't be afraid to tease him back, he likes it when you show you can hold your own.

He can't cook very well, his idea of cooking is making a PB&J.

You'll find yourself picking up phrases and words that he says all the time, it's cute. Just let it happen.

He'll stare at you like you're the prettiest thing he's ever seen. It's really the best thing in the world.

Your mother will love him and your father will respect him.

He will fit into your family so quickly you'll love him even more because of it.

Scratch his back without him asking. 

Let him take pictures of you, even if you think you look bad.

Accept his compliments and compliment him back.

Sing to him in the car and be silly.

Leave him little notes, he'll keep them. They'll make his day.

Spend a lot of time with him, he likes to be with you.

Play Just Dance with him, but don't let him cheat! 

Take him on a date. Do me a favor and take him on a picnic and fly kites? I was going to take him but we didn't have a chance to go.

Do things together. Go on walks, four wheeler rides, the movies, to dinner, hunting, swimming. Just make memories doing stuff. 

He won't mention something is bothering him until it drives him crazy. If something seems wrong, ask him. Don't let him brush it off.

If he's having a bad day "be cute with him." Tell him how much you love him and what you love about him.

He gets jealous. Really jealous. Be patient because he just really cares about you. Never get tired of reassuring him that your his. Show him that you're his, and  when you do, if you're lucky, he'll be yours.

He cares about you so much. He has the best shoulder to cry on. He'll hold you and stroke your hair. He won't care if your makeup is smeared he'll think you're beautiful anyway. He'll ask you what he can do for you. Don't be afraid to tell him your problems, your past, because he'll love you anyway.

He'll buy you flowers when you're sad.

He'll make sure you wear your seatbelt.

He'll make sure you're safe, it's his way of saying he loves you without actually saying it.

He doesn't get along with his mom, but he loves her. You can tell.

He and his dad are a lot alike.

His sister Lauren is sarcastic and funny, but she can be really sweet. Like him.

Derek adores him. 

He loves his dog, Bo is nothing but a big sweetheart.

Serving a mission is very important to him, remember that and respect that.

If you gives you advice, listen. He's probably right.

Never cheat on him. Never lie to him. Never give up on him.

If he leaves you, stand in the doorway and kiss him until he decides to stay. He doesn't always want to leave when he threatens to go. Don't let him. 

Chase him to the ends of the earth.

He deserves to be happy, and if it isn't with me, it should be with you.

Someone who loves him.

Sincerely,

The girl before