I made a post to another sub 4 months ago. I got downvoted...yet it was quite possibly the best decision I had ever made. I even tried to post this there and was essentially booted.

I'm here now.

So, I fell in love with my my best friend, a guy. Grew to quite an obsession. I posted and it was not extremely well-received. A lot of people said it wasn't love, this wasn't heartbreak, and basically that I was a foolish kid who was confused.

One person didn't. I got a DM from one fellow redditor. His situation was eerily similar to mine, except he had been trapped by his love for years. We understood each other in a way no one else could...no one else would.

We talked. We joked. We commiserated. An ocean apart, we developed a bond that makes the relationships with people who are an actual physical presence in my life pale in comparison.

It lasted months. We talked almost everyday. We both struggled with mental illness, unrequited love, and sexualities that confused us a little. It was like I was talking to myself.

We never got each other's last names. We agreed that sharing photos would make the feelings that we ignited less special. And it would be all the more special WHEN we met one day. We formed a cyber sexual relationship. It was incredibly meaningful to both of us.

Then, one day, without warning, he stopped responding to my messages. One day turned to two, two to three, and my worry grew. It has now been 2 months. The same amount of time we spent talking to each other. We agreed that we were fighting for each other. We were going to move past the loves that held as back, and we were no longer alone and simply doing it for ourselves.

I'm not sure what my intention here is. I'm scared and confused. I wish every day that I look down at my phone and see a message from him. If you're out there reading this, don't be afraid to express yourself. You are incredible. If you're...gosh...up in heaven, I think about you all the time, and I pray for you. If you're not reading this, then I'm writing to the rest of you. Anyone who is reading this right now. You can form something wonderful just by reaching out to someone who is struggling. Even if it is over the web.

Don't be afraid to reach out to someone. It could change your life. It changed mine. Although the pain of him being gone - in whatever way he is gone - is so strong, I would not give up the connection we formed for anything.

Love can come from the darkest corners.