Valerie

This is a letter I gave a to a friend. We had an argument last July 18. I value her over pride so I gave her something plus a letter conveying my emotions to her and how I really felt when she started straying away. I consulted her best friend about what to give her. So I owe her a lot. She helped save a friendship on fire.

I felt really worried on what to do today since she texted me on how she felt like crying when she read my letter and how she invited me over for a little afternoon snack party. I almost didn’t come and wanted to make an excuse not to because I really did feel like she wouldn’t like me there. Then she went over herself and asked me to come over already and she dragged me by the hand. I was so happy I couldn’t resist her offer.

To Valerie, thank you again for being an important person in my life. I wish I could’ve written a better letter and I really wanted to hand-write this if I had a better penmanship. Alas, we can’t have ’em all.

To anyone who is at war with a close friend: Please, a mere bickering shouldn’t replace a life’s worth of friendship. Pride is nothing. I promise. Do something about it before it’s too late or live a life with a regretful mistake.

Your choice.

Valerie,

Happy Birthday!

To begin with, I got this for you last week, July 29^th 2012. And the letter you are reading was made today, August 5^th 2012. And for whatever reason might occur that would’ve prevented me from giving this to you, I will still, with an open heart, hand this over personally or at your table. Even if things so awful would happen, I’d still give it to you. So if I ever do something to further offend you until your birthday, I apologize for it sincerely.

This little thing isn’t something I thought I could win you back with. I’m not hoping to change anything with this. No, I don’t think friendship can be fixed with material gifts. This is simply something I felt I needed to do. It’s something that I’ve taken to show my appreciation of what you have given me, the friendship and the happy memories it came with, in the time we’ve known each other.  It’s also a symbol of my realization on how I took you for granted and how I regret that fact.

With that said, I understand if you still feel mad about what happened and I get that. I get it all. I won’t hold it against you. Past is history and I can’t do anything about it. I’ve crossed the line and I’m suffering for it. But at least let me tell you how thankful I am to everything you’ve been to me. It’s the least I could do.

Valerie, Thank you for being the friend you are despite my shortcomings. I want you to know I’m glad you’re here since you’re one of those people that make going to work something to look forward to. Trust me; work would be much duller than it is now if you hadn’t arrived.  With the way things have been recently, though, I have to say I’ve felt you’re unwavering disappointment. I’m afraid it has gotten to the point where you no longer wish to see me at work. And it’s really my fault to begin with and I’m very sorry I disappointed you.

I know the value of a good friendship when I see one and I don’t value pride when it comes to this. I want to make it up to you. I mean, after all, what is a man to do if all he has is his useless pride? Pride can’t make me happy. Pride can’t make me smile. And surely pride can’t be there when I need someone to listen to me. All of these only friends can do. And for me, one of them is you.

If there were things I could say for your birthday, it would be to stay beautiful both inside and out but more importantly, stay true to yourself simply because that’s the best thing a person can ever be. Never lose that. Keep smiling and never grow tired of loving even if experience tells you otherwise. You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone. You’re smart; you’re kind, pretty, and most of all friendly and fun to be with. You’re all these beautiful things without even trying. The fact that you make people feel comfortable around you is a special trait which so few people possess nowadays.

Lastly, never forget to smile and love again. You see, to smile and to love are beautiful things that no one can ever take away from you. And these beautiful things, these simple yet divine traits, they soothe you. And although sometimes you may cry, remember that heavy hearts, like heavy clouds, are best relieved by the letting of a little water. And you have friends around you that will always have a shoulder for you to cry on. And surely one day, you’ll meet someone who’ll appreciate you for everything you are and you are not; your best traits and worst flaws; what you were, what you are now, and what you will become; someone who’ll treat you like a rare, small flower or like a tiny ember in the coldest winter nights. And that someone will be so lucky to have you, reason being that you’re a kind of woman who is just impossible to find.

That is all I could say on this very special day. I could only wish for you to have the best of it and the many more joyful moments of your life that have yet to present themselves.

All these words are true; all these words are meant for you. I could never write them any better. And if I could, I would because I know I should. Anything, anything at all I’m prepared to do; all of these to avoid losing someone so beautiful a friend such as you.

Again, Happy Birthday, dearest Valerie.

I’ve read this letter again and again just to make sure I got things right. I heard from her and her close friend at work that she felt like she wanted to cry when she read this. That makes me happy. I just wish she really knew. :’)