See if you value me, because nostalgia doesn’t bring me back

Some people will only value you when you leave for someone else. When you no longer provide them with the support they took for granted, when you no longer send them the sweet messages they once ignored, when you no longer welcome them with open arms every time they knock on your door in the middle of the night , when you no longer wait by the phone for your calls.

Some people will only realize how much you loved them when they don’t find anyone else who loves them as much as you do. When they can’t find someone who loves every detail of them, someone who looks at them like they’re the only thing that person wants or someone who makes them feel like they’re home – safe and secure from all the chaos and noise in the world .

Some people will only try to get your attention once you stop giving them. When you stop being their biggest fan, when you stop liking everything they do, when you stop calling them in the middle of the day to tell them how much you love them, when you stop buying them things they mentioned they wanted in a random conversation, and when you stopped giving up everything to be there for when they needed you.

Some people will only try to win you back after they lose you. When they remember that you have other options, when they remember that someone out there is going to treat you better, when they remember that you won’t accept being an option forever, when they remember how selfish they were all along and of how they never made you feel like you were important.

Some people will only miss you when you forget them. When you forget to call them on their birthday, when you forget your favorite song, when you forget your secrets and throw away your memories. When you forget the way they made you feel.

Some people will only respect you when you walk away. When they realize that you had a serious commitment to them, when they remember the number of times you went out of your own way just to please them, when they recognize the many times you forgave them, and when you leave because you couldn’t take it anymore plus all that contempt–because they confused your patience and understanding with weakness, and confused your vulnerability with passivity.

Some people will only love you when you stop loving them. When you no longer miss the touch of your hand or the sound of your voice. When they can see that you’ve changed and you haven’t looked at them the way you used to. When you don’t think about them anymore before bed or stop driving to your house to make sure they’re okay. Some people will only love you when they’re finally ready to open their hearts to you, after they’ve ripped yours apart.

Some people will never have the chance to love you again, because your heart belongs to those who don’t need to lose you to learn to love you.

Text by Rania Naim (translated)