It's You I Like.

Dear friend,

Today I asked God

what I should be

when I grow up,

and He said,

"Nice to people."

Which is pretty easy

when it's you

that I'm trying to be nice to.

There's this thing that happens

when I think about you.

It's like my heart burns

and then explodes.

Because look at you!

You sure are something.

I could list the things

that I like about you,

but it's simpler than that.

I just like you.

Whatever it is exactly

that makes you you,

I like that.

I love it, actually.

So sometimes I say to you,

"You just be you,"

or

"Do whatever you want.

You won't make a mistake,"

or

"You're really really trying,

and that's so admirable."

Because sometimes you tell me

what you're going to be

for Halloween.

Or you tell me about

how you're not sure

what to do about this boy.

And I just want you to know

that I love

whatever you're going to be

for Halloween.

And I love

whatever you're going to text back

to this boy.

Because you're you.

And when you make choices,

you're being even more you

and putting more of yourself

into this world.

And more of you being you

is exactly what this world needs.

And look.

Mr. Rogers wrote this song

that I wish I had written

about you.

If I could have written this song

about you,

I would have written it

the same way he did.

Because it really is you

that I like.

Not the things you wear.

The way you are right now.

The way down deep inside you.

Your skin. Your eyes. Your feelings.

Anyway,

I wish I told you that more often.

But sometimes when my heart explodes,

I'm not eloquent enough

to say all this.

And you can't always interrupt

a conversation about Halloween costumes

to tell someone

how much you value them

just being who they are.

Some days I will come up to you

and say,

"Here are four things

that I like about you

that I've been thinking about."

On all the other days,

just reread this letter.

Love,

Rachel