This life may take you down roads that turn and twist, down paths where you lose your footing, or where the ground is worn beneath your feet, making you stumble and trip. This life may grab you by the arms and leave bruises in your skin, or shake you until you’re so dizzy you can barely stand.

But I promise no matter where you go, I will be by your side.

Maybe you’ll choose to run, to leave, to wander. Maybe you’ll say things you don’t mean, or push away the people who love you. Maybe you’ll fall victim to vices, to bodies that are wrong for you, to the demons in your head.

Maybe you’ll start believing lies, or shutting me out because I care too much.

Maybe, when it comes down to it, you’ll be on an opposite coast, chasing a different dream, not wanting anything to do with me at all.

But I promise, even if and when my heart is aching, I will still care for you.

You see, I can’t just forget. I can’t just pretend I don’t care. I can’t just act like because you’ve become a different person, I no longer have the same amount of compassion for you. That’s simply not true.

You may hurt me. You may leave. You may choose everyone else, or purposely distance yourself from my open arms. But that doesn’t mean you are worth less in my eyes. That doesn’t mean my feelings have changed. That doesn’t mean I’m leaving you to fight your demons alone.

You see, I’m with you wherever this life takes you. Whether it’s to the highest mountains or the lowest of lows. Whether it’s better than your wildest dreams, or to places you never imagined in your worst nightmares.

Whether your life is falling into place or spinning out of your control, I am here. And I am not going anywhere.

Please know that I’m with you. When you take a sip of that drink. When you scream at your reflection in the mirror. When you wipe your tired eyes. When you smile at the sunset. When you sit in silence. When you laugh in a room surrounded by people. When you’re holding hands with someone you love. When you’re unsure what you want or who you are.

Wherever you go, whatever direction the world pulls you—I will stand beside you, in love and support.

Because you matter to me.
And you always will.