*

Dear Ryan,

Today, you didn't realize it, but you kissed me goodnight at the same place where you kissed me for the very first time.

Remember the first day we met?

I was tired after working all day, and was dressed in jeans and a baseball t-shirt. Our mutual friend Kat called me and invited me over for a kareoke party. I was reluctant, but felt like I should go to "support Kat". I didn't know anyone there but Kat. Little did I know I would meet someone like you.

I remember walking down her stairs and hearing someone singing kareoke to a country song. I chuckled to myself and thought "Wow, that's some terrible singing."

But I walked around the corner and I saw you really getting into it, while the rest of us shyed away from the microphone.

You were the only one with guts-you didn't care what people thought.

And I thought that was really cute.

After a couple of hours of sitting around awkwardly waiting for someone to sing, I decided to leave. But before I left I sat down at a table to talk to Kat and her parents.

And then you said to me "So, you're going to BYU next year?"

Those were the first words you had ever said to me. Smooooooth.

Do you remember what happened next? Good, cuz I don't either. All I remember was thinking..."Wow, he's hot" and you made me laugh harder than I'd laughed all summer.

Things were off to a good start. But we said our goodbyes after a long, dinner table conversation and that was that. Just another cute boy to come and go. No big deal.

Little did I know.........

Thanks for never giving up on me.

So tonight, as I remember the past year we've spent together, with all of our ups and downs, worries and insecurities, I can't help but smile.

And as we parted ways tonight, you going north, and me south, from the spot where we had our first kiss, I can't help but think of the future, and what it will bring as we really part ways for a couple of years.

"It's easy, when you're in love with your best friend."