Oceans to Trees

Letters II

07/25/22

AHHH! I got my first letter from you!! This is so exciting! It's so exciting to get mail... society has really lost something with the addition of texting. Okay, so in my last letter (tbh I have no clue if/what order these letters arrive) I mentioned going back to the HS woodshop. Well, I did! There are so many good memories in that woodshop from our high school journey. As I'm prepping to leave, people keep saying "good luck in the real world" but personally think high school already is the real world, just, without taxes. High school is hard. Well, I mean, it was for me, I cannot speak for you haha. My point is just this: nothing coming is anymore "life" than we've already handled. It's just different. And we can do it! That was a pep talk for me actually, I'm starting to get a little freaked out about college, but hopefully my self pep-talk can benefit you, too. I'm gonna be A-OK. I don't even know what is making me nervous! It is probably just the fact that I don't know what to expect. Well, I suppose I don't have any reason to be worried/sad about the future considering it won't do me any good now. On a side note, you described boot camp as "weird,nothing to do, but lots to do" and I know prepping for college is nothing like boot camp, but that statement really applies well here, too. Like, it's summer so I'm not working toward anything, but I have to be doing my summer work or packing or scheduling. Yuck. Always busy,not really achieving anything. Tomorrow I have a meeting with the "Center for Academic Success" regarding Mulch. They will likely give me the official approval to take her. I can't be lonely if she's coming along!!! Here is a picture of her so you don't forget what she looks like. But I think she's too darn cute to forget about. Of course, I will be sure to supply you with plenty of Mulch photos. I did pet her for you by the way. My letter-writing motivation is renewed now, so I'll try to write more often. Let me know if somebody there doesn't have someone to write to them. Just add a name at the end of a note, in parentheses and I will make them feel famous (by writing lol). As always, I'm sure you've got plenty of people (family and friends) who want you to write back and not enough energy to do it all, so don't feel pressured to respond. I'll write soon! ♡Katie

Mail is brought to us in the barracks every Sunday evening. When I see something from Katie, I cast the others aside. I open it gently, preserving the sticker that seals it shut, and hang on every word she's written to me. The letter comes with wax paper folded up inside. I open it to see scattered circles and x's, with a note at the bottom that says "front, bottom (your fun mail)." I squint at the page, confused. The lights in the barracks are red, meant to simulate life on a submarine. When we need to use the periscope during the night, the red light preserves night vision, but it isn't great for letters. I take the letter and go to the white light of the bathroom. It is more private here, and I sit down on the bench outside of the showers, taking a moment to reread the letter in privacy. When I'm done, I turn to the wax paper again. I'm tired. I'm exhausted. I miss talking to Katie in person. I line up the paper with her letter. It also aligns with her drawings and the corners of the page. Pressing the papers together, each circle is filled perfectly with a word: "It's okay if this journey is hard for you. It's okay to be sad or lonely. Don't forget I think of you often."

I rest my head on my knees. My eyes well with heartache, my stomach flits with butterflies, and I realize that what I feel is love.

07/31/22

Happy last day of July!! However, based on your last letter, there is about a two-week delay, so you'll probably be getting this around my grad party! Speaking of "grad party," I got to see quite a couple of people you know at various graduation parties (well I mean I also know them too). From them, I've learned that your zodiac sign is cancer. I don't really believe all that stuff, but I think it is fun. Anyway, I'm writing on the back of my bulletin during the sermon (it's Sunday) and I should probably show more reverence, so goodbye - Katie