Long Distance Love Letters

The First Letter

Gilbert Blythe walked across the beautiful campus of the University of Toronto, admiring the sunrise. He had developed a habit of taking walks early in the morning as it helped him with his homesickness.

He had only been in Toronto for about a week, but he already felt emerged in the culture. All in all, it wasn't too different from Avonlea, but he did get to enjoy a few luxuries, one example being that the lamp in his room had a lightbulb. In the past, he would typically only see them when he went to Charlottetown.

Though he missed home, he knew he was where he was supposed to be for the time being.

"Gilbert!" a voice called, making him turn.

Adam, his roommate and fellow pre-med major, approached him.

Gilbert smiled. "Good morning, Adam."

"Morning," he replied. Gilbert watched as he took a letter out of his pocket. "I went to the mailroom to see if I had gotten anything. I saw that you had gotten a letter so I thought I'd deliver it to you."

Gilbert curiously took the letter from him. Before he even read the name of the sender, he knew the handwriting. It was from Anne.

Suddenly, the letter felt heavy in his hands. He stared at the beautifully curved letters, imagining her writing them in his mind.

Adam smiled. "Anne, huh?" he asked. "Who is she?"

He glanced up at his friend, breathing out a laugh. "Um, just...someone from home."

Adam's smile grew. "Is she your girl?"

Gilbert's cheeks heated up. "I wouldn't say she necessarily belongs to me, or anyone for that matter, but...we are courting, yes."

Adam chuckled and clapped him on the shoulder. "You must really love her if you're practically drooling over her letter that you haven't even read yet. I'll give you some privacy."

Gilbert rolled his eyes in good-nature and nodded. "See you in class!"

He travelled over to a bench, sitting down as students started to file out into the sunshine.

Gilbert stared at the letter for a moment more before opening the envelope and beginning to read.

Dear Gilbert,
I look like my mother...it seems so inconceivable. Shortly after you left, Matthew and Marilla arrived with a book they had received from Ms. Thomas. It had belonged to my parents. The book was all about flowers, the language of flowers, specifically. They had written all these notes in it. Apparently, my mother was a teacher. She lived my dream. Her handwriting even looks like mine. She has my red hair, Gilbert. My father drew a gorgeous portrait of her, and she has red hair. Maybe that means I should start looking at my own hair differently.
        Anyway, enough about me. How are you liking Toronto? I've heard it's simply marvelous over there. I can imagine you roaming the beautiful pathways and I  feel envious! I'm sure the university is perfect for the path you wish to take in life. It makes me so excited for you. I want to hear all about it.
        Bash and Delly came up to visit the other day. I gave them a tour of Queens. Delly seems to grow so much every time I see her. Before long, she'll be having kids of her own! Bash and Elijah seem to be working together a lot better which fills my heart with joy. They're all doing alright.
        Alright, I guess that's everything. I already miss you very much.
                                                            I love you,
                                                                     Anne

Gilbert read the letter three times, trying to picture Anne sitting at her desk in her room, writing by candlelight.

Reading her words made his heart hurt. He had finally worked up the nerve to kiss her, but he had to leave almost immediately after. He missed her so much.

The loud clanging of the bell tore him from his thoughts. He quickly gathered up his things and headed to his first class of the day, already knowing he wouldn't be able to pay any attention.

He started planning what he would say in his letter to her.