There was a girl in high school that was absolutely crazy over. We were best friends and track buddies for a couple years, had amazing chemistry, but she had a boyfriend almost all of high school, despite mutual recognition of our feelings. She didn't feel I was adventurous enough for her, or something along those lines. Towards senior year I eventually gave up on her and attempted, somewhat successfully, to let her go and move on, although I never really did.

Several girlfriends and couple years of college later, I was walking down a sidewalk in my random college town and we happened to pass each other while walking with each of our groups of friends. Cue double takes from both of us. She was involved with another guy at the time, but after a few weeks of talking and rekindling our friendship we decided to turn things into a serious relationship. It turned into the greatest, most loving and rewarding 2 years of my life. Unfortunately I still had some growing up to do, and after a year or so I started taking things for granted. There was mutual lack of effort and misunderstanding on both sides, but I know a large part of our downfall was due to my selfishness, lack of patience, and inability to appreciate what we had.

I spent a few weeks in Canada with her at her parents fishing resort, returned home, and that was the end of it. 5 years later, she's living out west and has a life that I still wish I was a part of. Even after spending 4 of the last 5 years in a new relationship (that has recently ended because she was cheating on me almost the entire time) I still can't help but think about that high school crush almost every day. I've changed a lot since then, and a big part of me is still sadly clinging to the the thought of possible redemption, and that I probably lost the best thing that has ever happened to me.