Dear Ben, it was about a year ago today that I thought you and I would be together forever. I had a dream (that I thought we shared) that we would inherit your dad’s house in Bloomington and you would teach English to young pupils and I would own a bakery in town and our lives would be so full of love and goodness. Not soon after today a year ago I found out that you didn’t want any of that and never really did. You told me that you wanted a dog and nothing else. So he could help you hunt for food on the side of the road because you wanted to be a homeless punk who plays music under a bridge for the rest of your life. I was furious when you told me that, because I felt like you were wasting all your talent on this new, pretentious, personality that you developed when you went to college. I was stuck in our hometown all alone and you told me you would wait for me and that we could have the perfect life in that perfect house and be happy forever. What happened Ben? You lied to me, you starting lying to me a lot. You became a whole different person with no goals or ambition.You got into that rut and changed everything about yourself. You made me feel really bad about myself, the way you could go days ignoring me and all of the other stuff you did that I don’t have the heart to talk about. I loved you, all the way, you were my whole life and my favorite person in the world. It hurts so much to look back at all you put me through. When you love someone you don’t want them to be sad. Which is why I broke up with you, because I could tell that you weren’t happy with me. I loved you so much that I wanted you to find happiness even if it wasn’t with me. So now I can say, if living on the side of the road makes you happy, do it. You can find another girlfriend if that makes you happy. When you were truly mine you made me feel like the most special girl in the world. I know that there is good in that weirdo little heart of yours. I hope that you live to your full potential and make your mom proud. She’ll always be with you and so will I. I love you, Bennie. Love, Bailee