The One Who Got Away

There is a small accent table in the corner of my living room. It is in the shape of a heart. The top has a glass window surrounded by the wood which makes up the rest of the table. The top of the table opens up. In there, I have special notes and cards displayed which I have received over the years. These notes and cards were "keepers" because they were sent by special people in my life and their sentiment was spoken from the heart. One of the notes is a simple 1 sentence note from someone named Bruce whom I met at a small gathering of friends when I was in college. He had asked me out but I was dating someone special so I told him that wouldn't be possible. His note , with his college letterhead at the top, said simply, "Thanks for a wonderful evening". I've kept it all these years because it meant so much to me to receive it. The "special someone" I spoke of is "The one who got away". Our life paths took us in two different directions. About 2 years ago, I found "The One Who Got Away" through the internet. He is happily married. He is still a special person in my life because we shared so many wonderful memories. One of the cards is a "thank you" from a friend who we took out to lunch because she is having a hard time adjusting to having her husband of many years in a nursing home. There is a birthday card, a Valentine's card, and a special note which came with flowers on a milestone birthday. I thank these people for being in my life and showing their appreciation for me. It has meant a lot to have them for friends.