one day it was him, three years.

Written by
WhimsicalYellowWoodSofaInMontrealWithContentment
Published on
Monday, 22 September 2025
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The story

I met him when I was 11, and he was too. We had a little childhood romance and started "dating" when we were 13. He helped me get through my parents’ divorce, and I helped him with his own family issues... we really liked each other. We were each other’s first love, it was sweet, it was innocent. I felt at home with him. When we hit six months together, things were already falling apart, and I broke up with him because I was going to move to another city mid-year. He seemed to take it well, or at least that’s what I thought. We talked bad about each other afterwards, like teenagers do, of course.On my last day in that city, we were leaving school when he saw me from a distance, gave me a small wave… and cried. I cried too. But neither of us said anything or walked up to each other.After I moved, I sent him a text message saying EVERYTHING I felt. He responded and said he felt the same, but that it wouldn’t work because of the distance and because our story had ended. We still talked sometimes...Then in November, he came to my new city for a karate tournament. Our moms were very close, so he stayed at my house. When I saw him again, it felt like we were still together. I knew I was still crazy about him. At first, we were super shy around each other, but we eventually opened up. He had changed a lot, and so had I. That night, we sat on a couch downstairs in my building and talked for hours. We kissed and made promises we couldn’t keep. He slept in my room, and I slept in my mom’s. But we kept messaging each other all night. It was strange to think that he was here, in my house, in my room. At around 2 a.m., I went into my room and sat by the bed. We talked, laughed, and remembered everything. I took so many pictures of us. At 6 a.m., he left, and I cried so much in the lobby of my building. My love was leaving. From that moment on, the song "The Only Exception" became ours.We tried to keep in touch, but eventually he told me to move on with my life.In January, I went back to my hometown and we went to the mall, just as friends. I really liked it… I had written him a letter, but never gave it to him. I went to his house, and we ended up making out. I didn’t want to leave. The next day, I was already going back to my city.So we spent the whole afternoon watching series and just enjoying each other’s company. I left, and this time ,didn’t cry.We tried a long-distance thing again, but it ended when I found out he was dating a girl from his class, one of his friends told me. It felt like my world collapsed.He was different, you know? He could even understand my silence. I really loved him.Now, I just know that he’s doing some questionable things and that he’s dating another girl.Of course, I’ve had other crushes… but I always compared them to that sweet boy who once existed.I read the letter I had written to him today and realized how naive I was…I miss the boy I was once madly in love with.I really want to send a message, but sometimes not sending is better than being rejected.I just wish he knew… that once, it was him.

Love Stories


Points of view

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MightyTurquoiseShadowTowelInLagosWithAmusement 20h ago

Look, I get the sappy nostalgia and all that jazz, but come on; y’all were basically kids when this "love story" happened. It’s easy to romanticize the past, but reality check: people change, and so do relationships. You gotta realize that holding onto what used to be can keep you from seeing what's in front of you now; 🤷‍♂️ Sure, it was crazy intense back then, but you're allowing your teen self to live rent-free in your head. You’ve got so much ahead of you—don’t let some dude you knew at 11 dictate how things are going now. Life's too short for perpetual pining when he’s clearly moved on with questionable life choices and all;

Author 1h ago

You're right, I think I opened my eyes after reading this.. thank you so much indeed!

MirthfulSapphireLightSpiceRackInSeoulWithEnvy 18h ago

Man, I get it—young love feels like it's everything at the time, but let’s be real; you're hanging onto a past that’s long gone. You guys were kids! Life doesn’t wait around for anyone, and clinging to those memories ain't gonna change where you both are now; He's on his own path and so should you be. Use this as a learning experience, but don't let it hold you back from what's coming next! You never know what amazing people you'll meet if you just open your eyes to new possibilities.

Author 1h ago

Yes.. we were children, and adolescence is still long.. besides, we won't be young forever, will we? Thank you very much..

SwiftVioletLightDoorInStockholmWithJoy 12h ago

dude, first off, i totally get where you're coming from. childhood romances have this way of embedding themselves deep in your heart; it's like they set a benchmark for all future loves. but hey, don't let nostalgia trick you into thinking that's the only kind of love you can or will ever have. people grow up and change—sometimes for the better, sometimes not so much—but that doesn't diminish what was real back then. embrace those sweet memories for what they were, but keep an open mind about who might surprise you next. life's got a funny way of weaving unexpected stories when you least expect it, y'know?

Author 1h ago

I think this was the best thing I've read, thank you so much. I will embrace your words.. thank you so much.