What If It's Us

The Letter That Started It All

Dear You, who might be living a life as unpredictable as New York's weather, I'm Arthur. Arthur Seuss.

And I'm writing you this letter from a corner coffee shop that's as crammed and haphazard as my thoughts. You see, I've found that life, much like this city, thrives on chaos and chance encounters.

It's in these encounters that our lives can change – sometimes subtly, like the shift of shadows at dusk, other times as dramatically as the curtain fall in a Broadway show. And it's in the middle of such an extraordinary city that I stumbled upon a story worth sharing.

It's not just my story; it's a story of what if's, of missed connections and the pursuit of something like destiny. Maybe you've had moments where you wondered what if you'd taken a different path, what if you'd said yes, what if you'd never let go.

This letter is for you. It's for anyone who's ever questioned the intricate tapestry of their life, anyone who's ever felt lost amidst the skyscrapers of their own dreams.

Let me take you through the streets of my New York, where every corner turned can lead to an unexpected adventure.

The Serendipitous Encounter

It was a day like any other, humid and bustling, as I pushed through the throngs of people in the post office. That's where I saw him - a boy with a smile that could outshine the neon lights of Times Square.

But as quickly as our lives collided, he slipped away, nameless, into the crowd. The only evidence of our meeting was a lost letter, one that wasn't even mine to begin with.

Have you ever met someone and felt that jolt, that electric current of connection? It's frightening, isn't it? To think that your entire life could pivot on the axis of a single moment. I didn't know it then, but that fleeting encounter would set off a chain of events that would redefine the contours of my heart.

It was an invitation to chase the unknown, to leap without looking. And I, ever the planner, the organizer, the boy who color-coded his life, decided to jump.

Perhaps you're thinking about the one that got away. Or maybe you're holding onto the hope of a chance reunion with a person, a place, or a piece of yourself you thought was lost.

What I'm trying to say is, sometimes the universe conspires to bring us to these crossroads, and it's there that we find out who we truly are.

The Search

Obsession might be too strong a word, but it consumed me. The city was a labyrinth, and I was determined to find the boy with the universe in his eyes.

I enlisted friends, utilized social media, and combed through the streets like a detective hot on the trail of a mystery. The quest, however, was not just about finding him; it was about finding a piece of myself I didn't know was missing.

Have you ever searched for something with such fervor that it consumed your every waking thought? There's a madness to it, a delicious insanity that propels you forward. It's in that madness that we sometimes discover our capacity for hope, for belief in the possibility of connection in a world that too often feels disconnected.

I'm sure you've had your searches, your quests for answers. We're not so different, you and I.

We're both scavengers, rummaging through the rubble of our experiences, seeking that elusive treasure that makes the journey worthwhile.

The Universe Conspiring

Here's the thing about the universe – it has a sense of humor. Just when I was about to give up, fate, in its infinite jest, brought him back into my orbit.

His name was Ben. And much like the city itself, he was a beautiful, complicated mess.

We were different, he and I, as different as day and night, but somehow, in the cacophony of our differences, we found a harmony. You know how it is when you meet someone and everything just clicks? It's like finding the right tune on a radio full of static.

That's what it was like with Ben. But harmony is a delicate thing, easily disrupted by the slightest discord.

And there were plenty of those, misunderstandings and missteps that made us question if it was all just a beautiful mistake. Maybe you've had relationships that felt like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube, where every turn led to more confusion.

It's in those moments of frustration, when you're close to tossing it all aside, that you have to remember why you picked it up in the first place. You have to believe that there's a solution, that the colors can align.

It's a leap of faith, isn't it?

The Lessons in the Letting Go

Now, this is where the story takes a turn, where the lesson lies. Ben and I, we tried.

We laughed, we fought, we kissed, we cried. But sometimes, love isn't enough.

Sometimes, the timing is off, or the pressures too great. We had to learn the hardest lesson of all – how to let go.

Not because we wanted to, but because it was necessary. Letting go is a strange process.

It's like releasing a balloon into the sky and watching as it drifts away, knowing it's no longer yours to hold. But there's beauty in the release, in the surrender to forces greater than your own desires.

It's a testament to the resilience of the human heart, its ability to endure and, eventually, to heal. I imagine you've had to let go of something or someone before.

It's a universal rite of passage, a trial by fire that refines us. We emerge from it not unscathed, but stronger, wiser, and more capable of love than we ever thought possible.

The Reckoning

After Ben, I took to wandering the city, the concrete and steel a reflection of my inner turmoil. It was during these wanderings that I began to understand the true nature of my journey.

It wasn't about the chase, or the capture, or even the loss. It was about the transformation that occurs when you open your heart to the unpredictable.

Perhaps you've had your reckonings, moments of profound clarity that cut through the noise of everyday existence. We're taught to fear these reckonings, to shy away from self-confrontation.

But there's freedom in facing your own soul, in acknowledging your flaws and your fears. It's in this reckoning that we find our true path.

I'm sure your path has been winding, fraught with obstacles and unexpected turns. But it's your path, uniquely yours, and every step is a testament to your journey.

Embrace the reckonings, for they are the compass that guides you home.

The New Beginnings

They say that when one door closes, another opens. In the aftermath of Ben, new doors appeared.

Some led to friendships that would anchor me, others to passions that would ignite me, and still others to parts of myself I had yet to meet. The end of us was not the end of me; it was a beginning.

New beginnings can be terrifying. They're the blank pages at the start of a fresh chapter, the uncertainty of a dawn not yet broken.

But there's excitement there, too, the thrill of creation, of writing your own story. You've had your new beginnings, I'm sure.

Remember the thrill, the potential, the rush of stepping into the unknown. As you stand on the threshold of your own new beginnings, know that you carry with you the strength of all your yesterdays.

They've shaped you, honed you, prepared you for the now. Step forward with courage, for the world awaits your mark.

The Continuation

So here I am, still in New York, still believing in the magic of what if's. Ben and I, we've found a tentative friendship in the rubble of our romance.

It's different now, but no less valuable. Life is an ever-continuing story, one that doesn't stop for heartbreak or for joy.

It simply goes on, and so do we. You, too, are living your continuation.

Each breath is a sentence, each day a paragraph in the novel of your existence. Don't fear the continuation; embrace it.

For it's in the continuous unfolding of our lives that we find purpose, connection, and ultimately, ourselves. I hope my story has resonated with you, that in my words you've found echoes of your own experiences.

We're all navigating this complex, beautiful mess called life, and in sharing our stories, we find common ground, solace, and understanding.

Epilogue

Before I step out of the role of Arthur Seuss, I want to leave you with a final thought. If you've found something in my letter that speaks to you, that stirs something within, I urge you to seek out the book "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli.

It's a masterpiece of heartache and hope, of love in all its messy glory. You'll find more there – more laughter, more tears, and more of the raw honesty that binds us all.

Thank you for listening, for sharing in my journey. May you find in your own life the courage to chase what if's, the strength to let go when necessary, and the wisdom to embrace your new beginnings.

With all my heart, Arthur