Hi Nick,

I haven't written lately, mostly because I don't know what to say. Actually, that's a lie. I have lots of things to say. You are missed. You are loved. The world is a different place without you.

Sometimes I feel you around me; I catch a whiff of a smell that reminds me of you, or I see an argyle sweater (ah! argyle!) like the one you wore that night back in April, that night we spent hours upon hours talking about life's problems and blessings. Or I hear that song we would turn on so loud and dance to, acting like little children as we spun around your living room.

But there are the things I miss that I can't remember as well: your three-syllable laugh, the mischievous sparkle in your eyes, the way you held me so tight at the airport when we said goodbye for the last time, the exact phrase when you told me that of course you would call me as soon as you landed and I should know you were going to because when you hugged me you inhaled the scent of my hair. And that's when I knew you loved me. And that's when I knew that I loved you, too.

I miss you so much, Nick. My heart hurts.

love,
Holly