So, that’s why I’m writing this letter. I’ve loved you since I was sixteen years old, Grayson Davis, and I promise you even when my heart stops beating, I will love you. As a little girl, you dream of your prince charming. I was lucky enough to find mine at a young age. You are the best husband and father a woman could ask for.
This is really hard for me to write, but it needs to be said. Please stay with me while I get this out.
I love you. I know that you love me. You love fiercely and without apology, and it’s one of the things that drew me to you in the first place. I never had to worry about you cheating or leaving me for someone else. You’re loyal to a fault, and that’s why I need to say this.
Grayson, I know how much you loved me. I know how much you love our daughters. You have a huge heart. Trust me, I know. You’ve shown it to me every single day since we were sixteen.
If you’re reading this, then I know you’ve fallen in love again. I’m going to tell Mom to hold onto this letter until then. So, yeah, you’ve met someone. Let me start by saying I’m happy for you and for her. I know what it’s like to be on the receiving end of your love, and I know how you make her feel. Like the sun is shining down on you no matter the temperature outside, and her heart, well, it's yours. There is no way that you would give your heart to her without her giving to you in return.
I also know that she loves our daughters. You would never let a woman into their lives who wasn’t worthy of them. I also know that at some point, you’re going to second-guess all of it. The love you have for this new woman, and the love she has for our daughters, and more than likely, the love they have for her.
I want you to do something for me, Grayson. I want you to embrace that love. Hold it close to your chest, and never let go. I want you to cherish it and live it every single day. I want you to reach for your second chance at happily ever after. I want you to chase it. I want you and our daughters to know what it’s like to grow up in a house where a man loves a woman. I want you to show them by example how they need to be treated. When they fall in love, I want them to say, Daddy, he loves me like you love Mom.
Yes, “Mom” has a double meaning. They’ll have two mommies to love them. One from afar and one with you, living each day. I want that for them. If I can’t be there, I want the woman you love to fill my shoes. I want them to know what that’s like, Grayson. And I know you. You’re going to freak out if they want to call her Mom, but, Gray, it’s okay. I want them to love her. I want you to love her. I don’t want the three of you to feel any kind of remorse for allowing her into your hearts. I want our daughters to have moments with her that I can’t be there for. I know you, and I know you will only love someone who can love our daughters like I would if I were there.
Let her love you.
Let her love them.
All I ask is that you never forget me. Make sure our daughters and the love of your life know that I’m watching over all of you. I want you to know I’m smiling down on the four of you and wishing you nothing but love and happiness.
I know this is hard, and it’s killing me to write this letter. Not because every word isn’t true, but because I never want to leave the three of you. However, I know that nothing is certain.
Today, when you left for work and I looked at our daughters, my heart was so full of love I thought it might burst. Then it hit me… If something ever happens to me, will they know that? Will they know that I love them, and I want love for them? So, Grayson, this is me asking you to love again.
Love for me. Love for our girls, and most of all, love for you. You have so much love in that big heart of yours. Share it with her, Grayson. Be happy.
All my love.
Always and Forever.
Holly
I’m sobbing as I fold the letter, slipping it back into the envelope. “I love you, Holls. I love her too. I pushed her away because the guilt was eating away at me, and here you are, pushing me toward her. I thank God for every day we had with you.”