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Dear Kahlan,
I’m not sure if you remember me. I’m the girl who picked up you math book when you dropped it in the cafeteria yesterday. You smiled at me and said thank you. I said you’re welcome.
Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I think you’re the prettiest girl in the whole world, and you’re the nicest too. I know you’re a senior and I’m only twelve but I’m very in love with you and I always will be. I have been ever since I came to this school three months ago. You’re probably not, but just in case you’re in love with me too I thought I should tell you.
I know you’re the most popular girl in school and people tell you stuff like this all the time, but I really mean it. If you are in love with me, I hope our age difference won’t keep you from being my girlfriend.
Very truly yours,
Cara Mason
PS. You’re very tall which could look funny if we slow dance but I’m still growing so it’ll get better soon.
Dear Cara,
In a few years, you will have grown into the most beautiful girl in this entire school. Everyone will be vying for your affections and some lucky girl your own age will be the one slow dancing with you.
By then I’ll be in college and you will have forgotten all about me. Someday, quite by chance, I’ll see you walking hand in hand with her and I’ll think to myself that she’s the luckiest girl in the world. You probably don’t realize this, but it takes a very brave and special person to have the courage to express their feelings the way you did in your letter.
I’m sorry, but I can’t be your girlfriend. Please know that it’s my loss. I’ll treasure this very sweet and beautiful letter forever. I also have a favor to ask of you. Please stay the same. Don’t let anything or anyone change you. It’s a hard world and we don’t get many chances to tell people how much they mean to us. Never, ever stop telling them.
Sincerely,
Kahlan Amnell
PS. I’ll never forget you.
Dear Kahlan,
I’m not mad at you for not wanting to be my girlfriend. I kind of understand. Even if you’re right and someday I have a girlfriend that isn’t you, I could never love her as much as I love you. Because that would be impossible. I’ll try my hardest to do what you asked.
Still very yours,
Cara Mason
PS. If you change your mind about being my girlfriend let me know.
***
Dear Kahlan,
My name is Cara Mason and I’m quite certain you have no idea who I’m. Tonight I attended my ten year high school reunion, and while walking through the halls of Aydindril Prep, I thought of you, just as I have countless times over the years. As I stood before your locker, I recalled the twelve year old version me who, filled with expectancy, slipped you a love letter.
Your response to that letter was gracious beyond anything I could have ever imagined. Fifteen years later, I am still grateful for the tenderness and compassion with which you gently spared my feelings. There was, however, one point on which you were mistaken: I’ve never forgotten you.
Perhaps it’s because you were my first love, but no one has ever taken your place in my heart. How could they, when they don’t have your smile, or your lovely eyes, or that ineffable ability to make everyone around you feel special –– even a lovelorn twelve year old.
You wrote in that letter that it’s a hard world and we don’t get many chances to tell people how much they mean to us. This is me telling you how much you mean to me still.
I hope you don’t find it inappropriate that I took the liberty to contact you. When I noticed your name and email address on the school registry, I saw it as an opportunity to let you know that there is, in this world, at least one person who thinks the world of you.
Still very much yours,
Cara Mason
PS. I will completely understand if you choose not to reply to this email.
Dear Cara,
How could I ever forget the beautiful little girl with the bright green eyes who handed me her heart? I cannot tell you how many times I’ve imagined the lovely woman she grew up to be. In reading your email I can already tell that she far exceeded my expectations.
That letter you wrote me is, to this day, one of my most treasured possessions. I don’t think I’ve ever again been as moved by anything or anyone –– except perhaps by the email you sent me just now. I asked you, in my reply all those years ago, to stay the same. It seems to me that you’ve done as I asked.
If it isn’t too forward of me to ask, and you have the time, I would like you to joins me for a cup of coffee one of these days. I can’t think of lovelier way of spending an afternoon than in your company.
Sincerely,
Kahlan Amnell
PS. Since I’m probably no longer a foot taller than you, maybe we can have that slow dance after all.