He was gone.
Damien Rhodes, my first love, had vanished like a whisper drifting along the wind. I remember the day like it was yesterday. That day marked the moment when my heart shattered into a million pieces. My heartache lingered for days. Tears streamed uncontrollably from my eyes. It felt as though a river was pouring out of me. The sadness lingered for weeks, stretching into months. The pain dragged on, seemingly without end. At times, I was overwhelmed by a sense of numbness. There were other times when I lacked the energy to feel anything at all. And when the pain stopped, it dissolved into a mere whisper of a memory. As I sifted through my keepsake box, memories of our soul-consuming, clichéd romance flooded back, accompanied by visions of his sparkling turquoise eyes. It was then that I unearthed a letter. It was the first love letter he wrote to me. No one has the patience to write letters these days. While reading his love letter aloud, the past unfolded before my eyes.
Dear Avery,
I hope this letter finds you well. I must confess, I don't usually find myself in the habit of writing letters, so I hope I'm doing this right. As you are the writer, I thought writing you a letter would feel more personal and intimate.
It's been quite some time since I've dated, and I find myself feeling a bit rusty. Please bear with me.
I didn't expect to meet someone so intriguing. I must admit, you are a fascinating creature. Although we haven't met yet, your voice over the phone sounds vivacious and spirited. So full of life. I feel a magical force pulling me closer to you.
I know it sounds clichéd but it's the truth. I find you utterly fascinating.
And despite our distance, I feel an inexplicable closeness to you. You're like a dream shimmering across a vast ocean.
I cannot stop thinking about you since our last conversation. They say one should think with their head and not your heart, but when it comes to you, I find it impossible to think straight. You make every day brighter.
Your beautiful photos exude a sense of curiosity and adventure, sparking a desire within me to share in your experiences. I eagerly anticipate the day we finally meet in person. Until then, know that you hold a special place in my thoughts and heart.
With warm regards,
Damien Rhodes.
He crafted a masterpiece, an unparalleled gift that touched me to my core. Damien's love letter illuminated my world, dispelling the shadows of loneliness that had clouded my heart. I held the letter delicately, like a precious artifact, poring over its contents repeatedly, scarcely believing its reality. With each word, Damien's affection poured forth from the page, unfiltered and sincere. His unabashed expression of love both awed and humbled me. I never imagined someone could hold such profound interest in me. The foreign impression consumed me from within. Inside and out. His words stirred and awoke something from deep inside me.
My eyes danced with delight while reading, and I felt a surge of warmth and joy unlike any I had known before. Damien's love enveloped me, seeping into every corner of my being, filling me with a sense of both trepidation and exhilaration. My heart opened like a flower unfurling its petals at the first blush of spring and I wrote back diligently without hesitation.
Dearest Damien,
Thank you for sending me such a beautiful letter.
It was well executed and expressed. I enjoyed reading it immensely.
You did wonderfully well for your first letter. I admire your courage. Your words resonated deeply with me, and I found myself drawn to the authenticity and vulnerability you displayed. It's not often one receives a romantic handwritten letter these days, and I must say, it felt incredibly personal and intimate. I truly appreciate your time and effort. Your willingness to take this step speaks volumes about your character, and I am genuinely touched by your gesture.
You might not have dated for a while but I've never dated. And you're the first guy to write me a letter. I don't know what dating is like.
A fascinating creature? Now, that's new! No one has said that about me before. I must admit, it's piqued my curiosity.
I have to admit, 'despite our distance, I feel an inexplicable closeness to you' does sound a bit clichéd. You have quite a flare with words and a romantic at heart. I cannot stop thinking about you either. It's been so long since I've genuinely smiled and laughed, and you've brought that back into my life.
You have a great sense of humour. And I truly appreciate all your bountiful compliments.
The idea of embarking on adventures together excites me beyond measure. I'm ready to embrace the journey, bumps and all, with you by my side. So, let's embark on this rollercoaster ride together! I can't promise a smooth road, but I can guarantee it won't be dull. I look forward to our future adventures together.
Yours truly,
Avery Park.
We exchanged letters and emails, akin to lovers bridging the gap of time and distance. We shared short stories to tantalize our senses, engaging in a form of literary foreplay. We were young and in love. He was the first boy to show me mutual affection. I felt overwhelmed with excitement and intimidation. I was still grappling with the sheer impossibility of what was happening to me. We found ourselves drawn closer by the thrilling combination of mystery and chemistry. I felt like nothing more than a plain Jane, yearning to be loved. And he was a starry-eyed gentleman, filled with hope and wonder. Two souls, strangers to each other, seeking love's embrace…