To the one so long ago,
I doubt you remember me, we only spent one day together. But looking back, I realized how big of a deal that day really was.
When I first saw you, you were knee deep in the river. I was shy but I put my feet in the river next to you and instantly, we started talking.
We took a walk by the river, watching the fish. And on our way back you took my hand. I just smiled and we kept walking. I was young, I never questioned an act that seemed so natural.
So we kept walking, hand in hand. The rest of the people at the party stared at us and it didn't even matter. Then we laid down in the hammock and watched the clouds through the trees.
Soon, it was time to leave and I stood up and gave you hug. Then you grabbed my hand and walked with me all the way to the car.
I hugged you again before you walked back to the party. That was the last I ever saw of you.
When we got into the car, my sister's friend's mother asked why I didn't pull away when you grabbed my hand. I didn't know. Then she asked me if I was worried about what everyone else thought when they saw me holding hands with another girl. I said no.
I didn't care. It didn't bother me. It felt natural. I just find it ironic how when I was younger, I didn't bother to question my sexuality because I liked holding hands with another girl.
Without knowing, you were the first person to fully accept this part of me I didn't even know existed at the time.
All I can say is that wherever you may be, I hope you're doing well. I hope you accept yourself and love yourself for who you truly are because nothing in this world matters as much as that.
So to the one so long ago... Thank you for being the first person that welcomed me with open arms, no matter how close minded everyone else could have been.
