Valentine's Day 2009: Letters from the Past

I went to an art activity sponsored by a student organization last night. The picture posted here is the result of a small canvas, an array of oil pastels, and a bit of inspiration. I think of it as my Valentine's Day present to myself.

I'm a sentimental pack rat. The items in my collection range from a box of (now extremely stale) French candies from a handsome Parisian I met during one of my trips abroad to a Christmas card from a guy I had the biggest crush on when I was 16, from stories that I wrote in Kindergarten to letters to the editor that were published in the campus newspaper.

I don't think my sentimental collection habit is extreme . . . I rarely revisit things. I just keep them packed away. To be honest, I have this fantasy that after I'm long gone, one of my great-grandchildren will be rummaging through the attic one day and will stumble upon a box full of cards, letters, journals, pictures, drawings, stories and newspaper clippings and will begin to fit together the little pieces of my life she's discovered.

Among those little pieces are a few warm and fuzzy missives. I'm too self-conscious to post any would-be love letters I've written, but I will post a few excerpts of the sweetest things people have written me in the past. Emphasis on past. I cannot emphasize enough the fact that the ones who wrote these things have since moved on. I'm leaving out any identifying details or clues to how long ago they were written.

* * *

"When we first met, I had no idea that I would feel the way I feel about you now. In the past I may have taken your friendship for granted, but now I'm here wishing that we could be more than friends. I feel like I've searched everywhere for the 'perfect one' but now I see that the perfect one may have been right in front of me all along."

* * *

"You're the most upstanding that I've ever been with. Being with you taught me selectiveness. You are a very good idea of the kind of person I'm looking for. Sometimes, (in the past), I wonder if I ever had an idea of what I was looking for in a woman. I learned that I don't have to 'catch the first one along.' I also learned that intelligence and beauty can be found in the same person! You've been a true friend, talking to me, being my friend, not knowing what/if anything would come of the friendship. I don't know what you think I'm thinking, but I love you, too. I'm doing well, and I hope you are, too."

* * *

"Thanks for not having a 'but.' I suppose it's my insecurity that was making me wait for one, but I don't feel insecure anymore with you."

* * *

"Thanks for your wonderful friendship, keep those beautiful smiles. And a big hug from me to you!"

* * *

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! A big hug from me to you.