I feel like I should say this more often: thank you. Thank you for putting up with my mood swings. Sometimes when I'm short or unsociable, I just need to be a bit of a recluse in an effort to recharge, but that doesn't mean I don't adore you both or love our living arrangement. I woke up this morning in our beautiful, sunshine-drenched apartment and felt extremely grateful. —M

Despite the messy love triangle, I had so much fun getting to know you. I knew I wanted to date you as soon as we met and that feeling remains. It sucks that we weren't able to give it a real shot but I do believe its for the best. I also believe we will have another shot at me & you one day.. sans ex-lovers. And it's going to be great. —Disappointed but hopeful

Dear friends at the upstairs of a popular establishment, enjoying the opportunity to immerse themselves in written words and good drink: I’m sorry. I’m sorry because, whether you could see it or not, our intentions weren’t pure. I left feeling we had done you all an injustice and that we were unkind. I go to these places not because I can’t do what we were all there to do at home, but I want to be in the community. I want to connect with people. I love you all. The way you are. —Small Girl, Big Heart

Back in early February, as you swung round the corner onto my street to come face to face with me as I tossed the last shovelful of snow out of my driveway, I confess I looked daggers at you, and you stopped dead in your tracks. Then you proceeded to plow (it's your job after all) and maneuvered your best to push 80 percent of that dirty snow and ice chunks onto the grass verge instead of my driveway as you passed, but I still glared daggers at you—SORRY.  You shrugged apologetically, and had to move on. Yesterday evening (March 5) I heard prolonged snowplow noise, went out and was amazed to see yes, the plow had been by—again—but my driveway was almost empty. I noticed the swirled, fat tire tracks in the foot of the driveway and in the street: again some snowplow guy doing his pirouetting best to keep my driveway snow-free as he passed doing his job. Was it YOU again?? Just wanted to thank you for this kindness 'cos you certainly don't owe me anything. —Appreciative South End Three-Story Walk-Up Dweller (With a Sore Back)

For many reasons this is in no way basic or straightforward. I wouldn't know where to begin if we were to acknowledge it. I imagine an overwhelming and disenchanting conversation and fear those bubbles being popped. But the effect you have on me is beyond my control. I've stopped wresting with it. I nurture what is ignited and just allow the question marks to hang out. A good life is rich in nuance and never tidy. I try to navigate as best I can and hope that time carves out a space for us. —Undeniably Disarmed

Then do something about it. —No rush

Thank you so much to the person who put my keys in my mail slot! I absentmindedly left my keys in the door which anyone could have taken. —Feeling safe at home

Everything you put out I want to take in. You're this unique beautiful creature I couldn't have ever imagined. Meeting you was a treat, getting to know you was a blur, and the thought of creating more time with you makes me feel warm and fuzzy. —Swoon Swoon

Our timing is off and I don't think you are as sure about us as I am. I expect that, by the time you return, all my warm feelings and all my certainty will have congealed into some sort of solid form, unrecognized for what it was and soon unnoticed by me. —Hindsight

To the owner of Tiny, I can't thank you enough for being patient as I almost had an emotional meltdown on the street at the site of your little dog. Ours passed away a few days ago and running into you and your identical dog felt like fate. The matching stories of a hard beginning followed by a rescue of these 16-year-old poodles make me wonder if I met our little guy's brother. Hoping to run into you two again someday. —Appreciative on Almon