I'm sorry. There's no other way to start this other than with 'I'm sorry'. Because I am. I'm sorry. But there was no other way.
I know this was selfish. They pounded that into our heads in grammar school. But I don't care. I just wanted out. God, that's all I wanted. Just Justin. That's all I ever wanted to be. Just plain old Justin.
I knew coming into this I'd have to make sacrifices. We all did. I guess this was my last sacrifice, wasn't it? They told me I'd have to make sacrifices to be famous. What they didn't tell me is that I'd have to make the ultimate sacrifice to be free again. I just want to be me.
I know I made a commitment. I know I made a promise to you. I know I broke them. But you know what else I know? I'm safe now. No more pain, no more hurting, no more loneliness. Just nothing. A beautiful, blissful nothing.
Lance, I know I always teased you. I know I always made fun of you. And even though you can't play ball to save your life, I don't care. You're gonna be a great manager, you know that? You're going to do fine. I don't know if I ever told you this, but I love you.
Joey. You are the ultimate party animal. Make sure you drag JC out some after I go, without me to drag him around, he may become a hermit and live in a box. Can't let that happen. I know sometimes we didn't get along, but I always loved you, no matter what I said. Remember that for me, will ya?
Chris - don't ever stop being you. I don't care how old you get, I don't care how much arthritis pain you have, just always be crazy. Promise me you will. And about Danielle...Marry her.
JC, you're the hardest one to write to. I mean, you're Daddy. How do you say goodbye to your third daddy? God, JC, you've got so much talent. You can write, produce, you sing great, you can dance - even if it is a little spazztastic. I know I could have talked to you about this anytime, but how do you tell someone you're dying from the inside out? You can't. I tried. You remember. I know you do. Because you keep looking at me when you think I don't notice like you'd like to know what I'm thinking. I'm sorry I never told you. I'm sorry about a lot of things.
Brit...I'll always love you. I know you loved me, in your own way, even if you never showed it. I know deep inside you did. And that's all that matters. I'm sorry things didn't work out. I hope Trace treats you well.
Again, I'm sorry. I love each and every one of you, and I know you love me. But this is something I have to do, for me.
It doesn't have to be over, either. *N Sync can live on. The only thing that's over is Justin Timberlake.
I love you more than you'll ever know,
Justin R. Timberlake