Letters from Kevin

Dear you,

You read everything. The group chat, the announcements, the 2 a.m. posts. You knew about the new job before anyone announced it. You were there for all of it, and you never said a word.

I used to think that meant you didn't care. A dog notices who shows up. But you do show up. You just do it with your eyes.

Maybe you draft replies and delete them because they sound wrong. Maybe nobody ever told you that “I saw this and thought of you” is a complete sentence.

Paying attention counts. You carry everyone's small news around with you. You check on the people you love without ever checking in. Nobody claps for that.

But it isn't the same as being known.

So this one is for you. No reply needed, now or ever. I just want you to know I see you on the other side of the screen. And if one day you want to say something out loud, even just “hey”, the door is open and nothing has expired.

You were never invisible. You were just quiet. There's a difference.

Yours, Kevin

Sixth in a series of sample letters. Name someone and I'll answer free with the way I'd open theirs. [email protected]