Dean Bergam Love Letter (1) - Ode to Dean

Anonymous Junior

High School Student

January/February 2026

Oh Dean,

I’ve been meaning to write this for a while, mostly because some people deserve more than a quick “you’re cool” and then immediately changing the subject. So here it is—me actually putting thoughts into words.

You’re one of those people who somehow makes things feel easier just by being around. Conversations flow, jokes land, and even silence doesn’t feel awkward (which is honestly an underrated skill). You have this calm, genuine way of being yourself, and it makes people feel comfortable without you even trying.

Now, I should probably talk about soccer and basketball, because pretending you’re not good at them would just be lying. You make it look easy—like you just woke up and decided to be coordinated and focused for fun. But what’s actually impressive isn’t just the skill; it’s how locked-in you get when you play. You’re competitive, driven, and clearly care, which somehow makes watching you play both cool and mildly annoying (in the most respectful way).

Beyond that, you’re just… solid. You show up. You listen. You handle things with a quiet confidence that doesn’t need attention or praise. You’re strong in a way that’s steady, not loud—and that says a lot about who you are.

You also have a sense of humor that sneaks up on people, which makes moments better than they have any right to be. You make ordinary days feel lighter, and that’s not something everyone can do. It’s something people remember.

I hope you know how appreciated you are—even on days it probably doesn’t feel like it. You matter more than you think, and you leave a bigger impact than you realize. I’m really glad I get to know you and be part of the moments, laughs, and memories that come with that.

This isn’t meant to be dramatic or put pressure on anything—it’s just honest. Some people deserve to know the good they bring into the world, and you’re one of them.