#80 - A.B.

I met you in a hotel, beneath ground. We shared hysterical, inane laughter, and later concerts and an apartment. I hear stories of your new life in Texas, and I'm delighted that you're happy. Do you think you'll figure out who you really are?

#79 - A.P.

You radiate this positive, I-need-everyone-to-like-me vibe that reminds me of myself. There's a sweetness, an innocence about you, though, that I don't remember ever having. "Conscience cannot stand much violence", but apparently your demeanor somehow withstands that angry house. Please don't ever be like them.

#78 - L.P.

At the wedding this summer, we danced feverishly on the dance floor and made fun of the distant relatives in hushed, giggling tones. At Put-in-Bay, we raced around in golf carts and laughed hysterically. It's likely that, mentally, I am 17, too.

#77 - D.F.

Sitting on the brick walkway that overlooked the ocean near Myrtle Beach, we talked. The smell of beer wafted through the air, and tiny lizards ran around us. You disseminated your adoration of Springsteen, I dispersed facts about Amos, and a mutual respect grew.

#76 - A.W.

You're different now - mean, concerned only with sex and booze. I remember how beautiful you were - deep laugh, chocolate skin, confident stance - and I yearn to bring back my friend. I don't know how much of you is left inside.

#75 - M. K.

In kindergarten, you convinced me to cut my long, pretty hair with a pair of kids' scissors. In 8th grade, you had pool parties all summer and we laughed until it hurt. Always the bad kid, but really, always good.

#74 - E.H.

An intelligent, environmentally-conscious academic, we traded opinions for weeks. I always seemed to be a little less than you - I wouldn't compost, I didn't know the right music, my farmer's market was substandard. At least now, when you're all alone, you're with someone perfect.

#73 - C.B.

On the surface, a perfect life - handsome husband, big house, two cute sons, a good job. Your upbeat personality hides all the pain within - the brother who died far too young, your baby with medical issues. I'm glad you know I'm here for you.

#72 - S. M.

Your laugh is infectious, and we work together really well. Descriptive words for you: beautiful, funny, intelligent, honest. I'm curious as to why you, a year older than me, are on your third marriage, but it's none of my business.

#71 - J. S.

You wrote me a story about dragons which I repeatedly read. Your words were eloquent, descriptive, and tailored just for me. 15 years later, I'm willing to bet that you printed that same story out for dozens of girls and told them the same thing.

#70 - L.M.

Blonde and cute, you walk around with a huge smile on your face. You flirt with married male teachers and are rude to students. You eschew others' ideas in lieu of your own - always. Your kind is the reason I don't really like other women.

#69 - M.P.

You told me to get involved in a food stamp scheme, and I said no, so I was too proud for my own good. When I left your son, you hurled horrible insults at me. I'll never be trash like you.

#68 - J. D.

Your arms were tattooed completely, in Egyptian symbols that weren't filled in. You let me take PERMANENT markers and color them. I spent hours tracing the lines as you watched, amused by my glee. I never called you again - your worth was spent. Sorry.

#67 - R. C.

Skinny, shaking, pale, you were trapped in a cycle of cocaine and self-destruction. My friends told me that you stopped by the house numerous times a day, looking for me. I wanted to help you, but I refused to let myself get sucked in.

#66 - K. W.

You were a war vet, bespeckled, bald, sullen. You kind of moved in for a while, and it was fine. Then, one day, I came home from my birthday dinner and you had left. I think I forgot you before you were gone.

#65 - B. D.

I made it my mission to get you, the muscular, scowling bartender. You lived in a mobile home and we watched Christmas movies in March, bored on the couch. I doubt you ever laughed at one of my jokes.

#64 - M. C.

You were the only guy in most of our English classes, and we were always delighted by your straightness. You always sat by me, and I'd have to hide my hysterical laughter behind the current book. I wish we would have stayed in touch.

#63 - E.F.

An up-and-coming politican, you're a smooth talker who gets what he wants. We went on a few dates this summer, until you "remembered" to tell me about the long-term girlfriend you were trying to dump. Guess you don't get EVERYTHING you want.

#62 - J.W.

I met you when you were 9 months pregnant, drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette. There's so many horrors in your past that I can never bring myself to judge you. I think it's remarkable that you get out of bed every morning, honestly.

#61 - M.K.

Jovial and upbeat, your tall, lanky frame is a part of many of my high school and college stories. You're married now, living in Canada, and you turned to me when the marriage went bad. I think it's working again, and I'm happy for you.

#60 - K.C.

One day, I came into school early, and I saw you sitting on the desk in your classroom, playing the guitar and singing your heart out. You're kind, but your fanatical piety makes me think you'd actually turn on me in a heartbeat.

#59 - S.J.

Chubby and soft, you have a strong family resemblance to my brothers. Ever since you were 14 or so, you've tasted like beer, always greeting me with a huge hug, a strong kiss, and a wide, welcoming smile.

#58 - M.H.

I hoarded your newspaper articles on a shelf in my closet, proud that I knew someone with such talent. We'd drink coffee and discuss your Ba'hai faith, even in the midst of my anti-religious convictions. Odd, how some farmkid from out west expanded my life.

#57 - V.H.

One day, you told me that you'd had sex with over 200 people. One day, I watched you do coke in a seedy basement. One day, I worshiped the ground you walked on. But then, one day, I grew up, without you.

#56 - M. T.

A gorgeous man who taught at OSU, you took me to exotic restaurants where you ordered for me in your native tongue. You would stop and pray anywhere, and it made me so uncomfortable that we never got past platonic.

#55 - J.I.

I was new in town, and we used to hang out at bars where you drank martinis. Then we'd go back to your apartment and have sex in a dark room. I'd slide out at 5 in the morning and get coffee from Bob Evan's.

#54 - L.R.

Patient, you quietly expressed disapproval at my marriage. When I left him, you and your wife cleaned the house, moved me out, let us stay with you, and kept our pets. You've taken care of me for ten years - you are truly like my brother.

#53 - C.C.

A FORMER Marine (yes, I got it right), you'd give me little homework assignments about your life and interests. We spent more time hiking than anything else, but I enjoyed my time with you. I bet your girls have grown up to be wonderful young women.

#52 - N.S.

An 18-year-old hippie throwback, your hair is long and blonde, always back in a ponytail. You complain about politics NONSTOP and you get your facts wrong much of the time. If you tell me you're "straightedge" one more time, I may hurl.

#51 - A.G.

Slightly geeky, with a gentle smile and a huge heart, you were the first boy I ever really loved. You're married now, to a chubby girl from your hometown, and it seems like you're happy. I find it odd that I don't miss you.

#50 - C.M.

Needy, with pimples and a nervous laugh, the bad boys I adored adopted you as their pet. You were an excellent follower. Later, I learned how bad your home life really was, and I cringed in shame for not trying to help.

#49 - S.J.

I met you at a wedding that I attended with the ex boyfriend that everyone hated. A year later, I walked into my new job, and you were my boss. You're supportive and mildly disapproving about my teaching style, but you're good at heart.

#48 - M. L.

You were a tough, chubby Mexican boy who was a secret sweetheart. The first time for both of us, we planned it carefully. My parents were gone. It was over fast. Afterwards, we hung out sometimes, but it wasn't the same without the sexual tension.

#47 - M.M.

I sat behind you in class and pulled your curls until you decided to be my friend. Married with two kids and a house, you're still the silly girl who pushed me into bed between her and her fiance so we could watch American Pie.

#45 - E.P.

Bossy, brash, emotional and self-conscious, you are, however, the embodiment of love. I am more like you than I will ever admit. Some of us you forgive and forgive, and others get banished without a second thought. You will always be on my side.

#44 - J.B.

A gorgeous, blonde football player who wittily uses sarcasm, you make me laugh uproariously every time you're in the room. Your girlfriend uses you, and you know, but you stay with her out of kindness. You're more of a man than many guys my age.

#43 - G.M.

It's hard to describe you, but I'm fascinated by your lack of assimilation. I'm drawn to your confidence, your sarcasm, your talent, your information. When you pause before your next word, I learn forward a little in anticipation. I hope you're worth the infatuation.

#42 - T.S.

You watch my little boy every day, and I never worry. You innately discern the issues with a lack of a partner in raising him, and you give me advice about discipline, potty training, and Christmas presents. I can't thank you enough for the support.

#41 - C.G.

At first, you were just too nice. Then you showed me that you had a wicked side, awkwardly. By the time you started listing your past indiscretions in order to impress me, I was done. Slow down with the confessions next time.

#40 - G.C.

Haitian and Canadian, you're the most darkly handsome hockey official I've ever seen. You love Coldplay, telling stories of your frat days, and drinking beer with the boys at your uppity bar. You, um, realize that you're black, right?

#39 - J.H.

You live in a tiny, dirty house that is teeming with your relatives. Somehow, you found a way to commit another felony, and you're going to jail for at least a year. Your sweet little boy deserves better than you and your twisted family.

#38 - R.L.P.

We'd play our own version of Hearts for hours. I sat on your lap and read books with you, over and over. I was cranky when you left that night, and you never came back. Thank you for the best of me.

#37 - H. P.

Sometimes, when I couldn't sleep, you'd lay me on my stomach and run your fingers up my back, mimicking ants at a picnic. The strongest person I've ever known, you had a background full of pain and shame and loss. I miss you.