Open letters to boys and girls

from members of VOX’S Girls Group Outreach Program

Hey Boys,

Do you think of Love? Are you in love? Do you even know what that means?
You want a hint?

Love is strong, honest and hard work. If you like journeys this is the longest one you can take. Let us tell you what this journey is like: It’s rocky, steep, cold and the trees are thick. You may want to take a deep breath and get your bearings along.

We have our tickets ready. Do you have yours?

Once you reach the first summit, the journey’s not over. We’re here, waiting to share some time with you. We’re ready for long walks in the park, conversations in the dark, kisses on the beach, holding hands, jumping for joy together, quiet whispers shared while eating ice cream from the same dish.

Whoops... did we take you too far? We still got our tickets. Do you have still have yours?

Sometimes love takes sacrifice. We’re willing to baby you when you have a cold, and to watch your stupid football games. Are you ready to go? You can have the window seat. What’s taking you so long?

Wait, what’s holding you up? We may have changed our minds. We may not want your stupid cold.

Do you like us? We like you.

Love is fun, but it’s not a game. The clock is ticking. Time’s up! Hope we’re on the same flight. If you’re ready for love,
we’ll see you there.

Bon voyage, adios, see ya, peace,
The Girls

Hey Girls,

We have some important things to say about how we see you dealing with love:

1. Don’t cross us out for him
Why would you cross us out? You put us out like we don’t exist. You spend more time with your boyfriend, catering to him like he’s more important in your life than your girlfriends.

When you didn’t come home — you’d spend your money on him. Just me and mom would be home — mom paid all the bills and you just cater to him, giving him anything he wants.

How stupid. Because if you didn’t have what he wanted, he’d get mad and cuss you out. If he was a real man — if it was real love — he wouldn’t do that.

2. Don’t put yourself down
We wish you’d understand there was a world before him and there will be a world after him. You don’t need someone to make you feel beautiful. Please know you’re something on your own — you don’t need a man or boy to be happy.

If he has a bad day, it’s your bad day. If he mistreats you, or ignores you, you take it. You don’t say anything.

We’re angry because you’re great and don’t deserve that. And you don’t even know it.

3. Don’t put your life on hold for him
One minute you’re the best of friends with him, and the next it’s over. Even when you move on, if he calls, you stop everything. He shows you an ounce of attention — one text, one e-mail — and you stop everything.

Do you think maybe it’s another shot at happiness? When we tell you it’s not, you get mad, curse us out, think we’re hating on you, say we’re jealous. The truth is, you don’t realize we’re right until you get hurt.

On the inside, we think you really know what’s going on. That he doesn’t love you. Or that it’s not the right time. Or that you’re not your own person, even when you think you are in love with him.

Sincerely,
The Girls