The Notes

I was going through my stuff earlier today when I came across a handwritten note from someone from the not-so-distant past. Seeing it again made me remember what I had been through with him. It gave me goosebumps. It read:

"Thanks for everything. I'll see you soon. =)"

If only people really mean what they say, the world would be a much better place.

***

That particular note reminded me of another note that I had prepared fairly recently. I needed a line that would accompany a gift for someone. I had an idea of the message I wanted to convey but I did not have the right words. For someone who writes regularly, this was a disaster - an extreme case of writer's block. After a few days of thinking it through, I found some words that sounded good together. I repeated it in my head - over and over - until it sounded perfectly... until I got what I wanted - the perfect note.



It took me exactly three days to get the words correctly. It's so embarrassing, I know but, there were real implications attached to the words that I were to use only because I mean what I say, always.


I wanted it to be the perfect message for someone special. I wanted him to feel special. It had to be simple yet very personal, handwritten, of course. It had to be legible. It needed the right strokes - manly but not too rigid - curvy but not too gay. I wanted my note to reflect the future without sending a desperate vibe. I planned for it to appear hopeful without trying too hard. Only because the note was actually a wish - my wish for us. It was that important.


Nobody has seen the note other than the person who eventually received it. Nobody knows this story. Nobody knows how much of myself I had put in into that one single line. Nobody knows this, until now.


The note, written by hand, on a 2x2 orange post-it pad attached to a box with the world in it read:

"I look forward to seeing the world with you".

***

I am not expecting to receive anything this Valentine's Day - no notes, no nothing - and neither am I planning to send anyone anything. But, if I were, it would probably read:

"I still look forward to seeing the world with you".