A LETTER READ aloud by radio host Brendan O’Connor last weekend seemed to strike a chord with many people.

On that occasion it was about a same-sex relationship that was not able to blossom due to what the letter-writer called “the times we were in”.

It spoke of sadness for the road not taken but also a fondness for the “greatest friendship” that ended prematurely.

The words in the letter are probably familiar to anyone who has had a relationship that didn’t last the way they hoped it would. Or perhaps it’s even familiar to someone who had a love that never even really got off the ground and still harbours a regret that it didn’t happen.

So today, ahead of Valentine’s Day this weekend, we’re looking for any stories you have of past loves that didn’t endure but have still left an impression on you to this day.

It could be a story from two years ago or two decades ago, but what we’re hoping to collect is a set of stories about romance, what ifs and lost love.

Regret is allowed but we won’t be entertaining any sour grapes or anything malicious.

Please include your age, county and whether you’re male, female or another. You can be anonymous or include your name if you so wish but please do not include the name of your lost love as we obviously won’t be using that.

Email us with your stories to answers@thejournal.ie

The stories can be as long or short as you wish but let’s not go beyond a maximum of 500 words.