Things I’ve learned in recent years: if you have feelings for someone, tell them. Lest, you end up like me, laying awake at nearly 4am over 6 years later wallowing in regret, pining over something that could have been but likely never will be.

Another thing I’ve learned: pay attention to what people do for you. Sometimes, everything they have to say about how they feel is spelled out in their actions more than their words. i.e. they drive across town in the middle of the night just to hang out with you and your dumbass friends while you drive around town doing absolutely nothing of merit simply because the idea of being in your presence sounds nice.

Life’s biggest lesson in all of this: never settle.