[thank you for loving him first]
for navigating unknown territory
at our most vulnerable and pivotal stage;
at a time when we couldn’t love ourselves-
but foolishly thought we could love another.

[thank you for growing with him first]
not in the physical sense, but in
providing a foundation for him to stand.
how were we to know that one day,
the foundation would break away?

[thank you for hurting him first]
for having the strength to pull away,
when forever became a distant memory.
for taking a piece of his heart
where your happy used to reside.

[thank you for all your firsts with him]
as they offered a lesson, a guide, and
a vision for the love he really deserved;
and how it could exist outside of you.

[thank you for letting him go first]
so he could be my last.