I remember how easy life was when all you had to worry about was the crust on your peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  I remember counting to 30 just to be able to swing at recess. I remember how much fun we had playing house. (I'd make you be the pet dog.) I remember picking the neighbors flowers just to give to you. I remember digging for worms and selling mud pies. I remember That's So Raven and Phil of the Future. I remember how big I felt when I finally started middle school. I remember realizing how small I really was. I remember seeing my dad cry for the first time. I remember how long it felt when he was in Iraq. I remember how close we all were and how much fun we had. I remember when we first started liking each other. I remember his hands and how big they felt holding mine. I remember my first kiss. (I think about it all the time.) I remember the time he asked me what my favorite color was. I remember it ending and how much everything changed. I remember the warm sand between my toes and the sun rays on my skin. I remember the salty water and all the colorful fish. I remember walking into Lone Peak High School as a student. I remember how good it felt to be shorter than most of the guys. I remember going to Texas and Oklahoma for American Idol. I remember how surreal it was to sing in front of the celebrity judges. I remember when all my friends let high school get to their heads. I remember learning how to drive. I remember all the mistakes I have made. I remember all the boys that I have kissed. I remember the first day I started to dance and sing. I remember yesterday. I remember today.

I'm supposed to give you instructions on how to do something.

Don't worry I will, once I think of something to instruct you on.

Just because you know who I am now, doesn't mean I'm going to stop writing. I want to show you who I am, how I think, and what I feel. Even with the possibility of you judging me, or hating it just because it was me that wrote it, I don't care. I just want to be me. I want you to be you, and I just want everyone to be real. Now we have that chance. Don't stop writing your feelings or what you think just because some people know who you are now. That shouldn't change anything, even though it probably does. You shouldn't care. Your writing is beautiful. You are beautiful. I am not one to judge. Never have been. We all have made our share of mistakes and still do. We have different weaknesses, strengths, likes, dislikes... but that is what makes us beautiful. Now instead of praising a pen name, we can actually praise each other. That is the way it should be, and the way it should always be. [insert name here]...[Kira Hannemann]

Too grown up. 

I wish I could do more to help you see yourself the way I see you. Perfect. Even though no one is really  perfect... I think you are. At least the closest person to perfect I have ever known. You struggle. A lot. And yes, you have made mistakes, but all of that has shaped you into this amazing human being I'm so lucky to call mine. Stop saying you aren't good enough. You know how mad that makes me. I've never had someone treat me the way you do. Even one simple look in your eyes makes my mood escalate. I can't imagine my life without you in it. You have made me a better person. You always put me back on the right track. That means a lot to me. 

Poetry has never been my specialty. I've always envied those who have the gift to put simple words together and make it sound so beautiful. The way they can speak them with such power and emotion. I wish I was able to get out of my box enough to do that. You can say I'm jealous. Very jealous actually. I try and try and try and try. I can never find the right words. But these poets that we all know and love do it with such easiness, or so it seems. Jealous. Envious. Frustrated. Yes, that is me. But at least I get the enjoyment of reading the great poems that have already been written.