I have no idea why this particular song is on my running playlist but “Kristofferson” sung by Tim McGraw came on as I was about mile four of my 5.5 miles this morning. The lyrics got me to thinking of the “Dear John” letter I would have written for my last relationship if I had put it in words on paper.

Dear John (not his real name),

I love you but … yes, isn’t there always a but? It is not enough. I know you will think I’m lying. I am not.

I love you but I do not love your attitude. I’m, as I am almost certain you would describe me, a glass half full kind of girl. I may miss the sunshine on a cloudy day but I don’t mind puddle stomping to make the best of the rain. You’re a glass three quarters empty kind of guy. Everything is a problem. Even the sunny days seem to bring you down.

I love you but do not love the me I am when I am with you. I let you separate me from friends and family. Yes, I understand that is a sign of a bad relationship. I should have spoken up but always seemed afraid to assert myself with you. I saw you as too fragile to take my issues with how I was changing.

I wish you nothing but the best but not with me. Someone out there is the person for you but that person is not me.

N

And there it is. “I’m gonna tell you how I feel, straight up genuine and real… Like Kristofferson would do.”