Dear Toronto,

You taught me many things. You grew up with me. You raised me. You inspired me. You made everything for me. But let's start at the beginning.

You taught me magic. The sparkling lights of your atmosphere illuminating on my skin made me feel the warmth of the holiday season every day. You made my heart beat faster when I was in your presence. You brought me closer to real music and the people I look up to. You never failed to make me feel like a child in a fairytale every time I crossed your path. When I was younger, this was the feeling I got every time I would visit you and that carries with me still.

You taught me friendship. You inspired me and one of my best friends to work together, grow together, laugh together, and be together at times when we didn't think we had the time. You allowed us to compete and succeed in a competition that showed us the future of our careers, all the while bringing us closer together.

You taught me to dream, and that I can achieve those dreams. You showed me hard-working entrepreneurs and female leaders. You showed me inspirational conferences and valuable networking events. You gave me new clients to meet and work with.

However, you have some ugly sides too. You taught me caution. You taught me awareness. You taught me loss. You taught me to be an adult and independent when I did not necessarily want to. But that's okay, you are adaptable after all and these are minor oversights.

Finally, and most importantly, you taught me love. Your beautiful city became my playground to fall in love. I never really knew what it was until I was with you. Walking your busy streets at night, hand-in-hand with him, showed me my future. And that future is everything. I learned how hard it is to be apart from the person you love, which you taught me is how you actually know you love someone. You were there through every reunion, every magical weekend, and every effervescent memory. You watched me as I never stopped smiling while I was with him. You watched me fall more and more in love, and you taught me what real love is. This isn't high school, Toronto, and you showed me that. Thank god for that.

While I can't be with you now, I will be one day. I will stay one day. Keep the lights bright and the spirits high. Until next time.

By: Kelli Jagger