The Magic of Story

Dear Boyfriend, Why Do You Love Me? Dear Girlfriend, Here's Why.

Dear Boyfriend,
Why do you love me? I mean, what's the point? I don't look like Emma Watson or Blake Lively or Scarlett Johansson. I don't look like anyone famous. I just look like... me. What's so great about that?
Love, me.

Dear Girlfriend,
I love you because you don't look like them. I want someone who is real and alive. And I found you. I know you don't actually send these letters because it's a secret, but I find them, and I don't send my responses because it's a secret, just like yours. I love you.
-me.

Dear Boyfriend,
I cried today. I didn't want you to see, and you didn't. I don't want anyone to see that part of me. I'm too insecure. I don't love myself, so why should you?
Love, me.

Dear Girlfriend,
I saw you. You didn't know, but I did. When I did, all I wanted was to put my arms around you and love you. I know you are still insecure. I can tell you still have depression, deep inside. As for why I should love you? I have millions of reasons. I'll start with one. The way you smile slightly when you read or sing or listen to music? It melts my heart. All I want to do is tell you about it. I love you.
-me.

Dear Boyfriend,
I was watching The Bachelor. Why? I have no idea. Watching people find "love" that will totally end within months is amusing to me. I know all of them divorce after a while, because the relationship is too weak. I don't want to be like that with you. I want to stay with you.
Love, me.

Dear Girlfriend,
I agree with you about The Bachelor. It's useless. We aren't going to end up just another failed couple. What we have is real. I promise. And I'll prove it to you in any way I can.
-me.

Dear Boyfriend,
Writing these letters to you that I know I'll never send is somehow comforting. But at the same time, it hurts even more knowing I don't trust myself enough to send these to you. I want to, more than anything, so maybe someday I will. If I don't trust myself enough to send them, why exactly do you trust me?
Love, me.

Dear Girlfriend,
I trust you because I love you. I read these because I love you. I date you because I love you. I kiss you because I love you. I BREATHE BECAUSE I LOVE YOU. I love you. I love you. I love you. A million times, I love you. And I know I'm a coward. But my heart beats for you and only you. Someday, maybe I'll tell you how I truly feel in person.
-me.

Dear Boyfriend,
I wanted to keep a diary, but I just couldn't remember to do it. I was thinking- what if the only reason you stay with me is because there's someone else and you feel bad? My mind always jumps to the worst conclusion, but it's how I am and I can't help it. Maybe I could if only I could tell you this.
Love, me.

Dear Girlfriend,
I feel almost rushed to write this. You seem so distant. Please don't be distant. I need you close to me. The way your eyes sparkle when you're about to make a dirty joke, the way you laugh at your own dirty jokes like anyone else had said them. What can I do to make you happy again? I will do anything.
-me.

Dear Boyfriend,
Today I had those thoughts again. I know I shouldn't, but I just can't help it! The thoughts just overtake me. Why am I alive? Should I really be here? Maybe I should just die.
Love, me.

Dear Girlfriend,
  Don't do that to yourself or me. I can't just sit back and watch you give in to depression like this. I'm sending you a letter. Starting with my very first one. "Dear Girlfriend, I think I love you."
-me.

Dear Boyfriend,
I got your letter. I couldn't believe it. I was crying for hours and hours. I wanted to call you, but I just couldn't do it. Especially because I was walking to my bed with a bottle of sleeping pills in one hand and a glass of water in the other. But there that letter was. Right there, on my pillow. "Dear Girlfriend, I think I love you." And that saved me. Maybe I'll send all my letters now, too.
Love, me.

Dear Girlfriend,
I love you. I'm begging you, GET RID OF THOSE PILLS. Knowing you almost left me breaks me. I love you, I love you, I love you. Now I'm sending what I thought would be my last letter. I guess not. I'm not done with these yet. I have a plan.
-me.

Dear Boyfriend,
You finally sent those letters. Now I guess I'm sending mine, too? Yeah, I am. I definitely am. I love you. What's your plan? I need to know.
Love, me.

Dear Girlfriend,
My plan is starting now. I love you. More than anything. You are my world, my light, my life. I am sending all of my letters now, until I will give the last one to you in person.
-me.

Dear Boyfriend,
What's going on? I'm laughing, but I'm totally nervous. Tell me what you're doing!
Love, me.

Dear Girlfriend,
You are perfect. Every inch of you. Every inch of your mind and heart and soul are poured out to me. I will give you everything I have. Everything you could ever need or want. I will stay for you. I will do anything if it means I will be with you.
-me.

Dear Boyfriend,
We are writing these in person, so this is a bit rushed. Where are you going with this?
Love, me.

Dear Girlfriend,
I'm just trying to ask one question in the next letter. Please wait.
-me.

Dear Boyfriend,
I will wait centuries for you. I see you reading over my shoulder and I heard you say "yes."
Love, me.

Dear Girlfriend,
Will you marry me?

Dear Boyfriend,
YES.

***
Dear Girlfriend,
It's been years since we've done this. I remember it like it was yesterday; the first letter I read from that box under your bed. "Dear Boyfriend, why do you love me?" And my response, in spoken words, was this: "Here's why." I gave you a million reasons in my head of why I love you. And I have millions more now that we are growing old together. We have children and grandchildren. A house by the sea. All the memories and love we could possibly want. We are going to die together, after the life we needed together. There's nothing more I could possibly want than to die with you. And writing this, I remember my very first letter I wrote to you.
"Dear Girlfriend, I think I love you."
And this is my last.
Dear Girlfriend, I definitely love you.
-me.