The Final Letter

Dear Daniel,

You do know why I wrote all these letters, don't you? I wanted you to know that there was not a single day of my adult life that went by that I did not think of you. No, I didn't always have a face or name to pair with my thoughts, but even that simple lack of knowledge could not keep you from my mind. Most of my letters were written right before bed not just for consistency, but because I always wanted you to be the last person I thought about before falling asleep at night. Dreams are often processed most poignantly with the things we think about right before we fall asleep, so I guess in a way that makes you the man... er, Dan of my dreams, huh? I have always loved you, I love you now, and I will continue to love you all the days of my life.

I have waited a long time to marry you and to finally become your wife and I am so lucky that the big day is finally here. Oh, and in case you had any doubts before today, here are 1500+ letters to you with love from me, saying simply,

I love you.

Love,
Kirsten (2013)

May 6th (The Wedding Day Letter)

Dear Copper,

I once heard that marriage is not a noun, but a verb. Love is not something that you get, but is something that you do each and every day. It requires an ongoing commitment of 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for the rest of your life.

Looking back on these past two years together, I can't help but think of all that you have done for me, and the ways you have made me feel. I not only want you in my life, but need you in my life.

I remember moments like you making me hot tea in the morning when I was sick (despite just working an overnight yourself), and letting me reach over on to your plate of French fries to grab one without even asking. You tell me that I am beautiful when I have no makeup on, and challenge me to think outside the box, all while supporting me along the way. 

I remember the endless hours on end of you listening to me tell you about my day at work, and I think back to you doing all those little things to make me happy, like fixing the towel rack in my bathroom or giving me back rubs at night.

I appreciate you tolerating all of my bad jokes and for putting up with my love of puns. You consistently let me know you love me, and when I am with you, it always feels like I am at home.

I have watched you give and care for others, including your friends, family, or those you barely know. The day we closed on our house, I watched as you gave money to a homeless man on the street to help pay it forward.

You may think I've let all these things go unnoticed, but I can guarantee that they have all meant the world to me and reassured me that you are the man I am to spend the rest of my life with, loving until the day I take my final breath.

So today on our wedding day, I take you to be my best friend, my faithful partner, and the one that I love forever and always. I promise to encourage, challenge, and inspire you to be the best version of yourself if you will do the same for me. I agree to love you through it all, no matter what comes our way, good or bad. I will always be there to make you smile and laugh with you, or to just listen and lift you up when you are down.

I promise to love you unconditionally through all our adventures together on this journey called life. I will continue to love you all of the days of my life, and that is something that will never change. We are going to be the old couple sitting on a park bench holding hands together, just you wait and see.

Love,

Fox

May 5th

Dear Copper,

It's strange, I started off writing these letters to someone I couldn't picture or name, but knew I would deeply love and care for. They were going to someone I couldn't picture my life without and someone who helped make my life seem more full. They were going to you.

I have written them every day for over the last three years, and in some weird way I am going to miss telling you in writing how much I love you, as that is usually how I best express my thoughts and affections toward others. At the same time, how lucky am I that before bed every night, I no longer will have to type out a note to tell you I love you, but that I will be able to reach over, give you a quick hug or smooch and tell you "I love you." For so long, the last thing I saw at night were words about how much I love you, but now you will actually be able to hear me say it.

These typed love letters may be coming to an end, but I promise to never stop loving you and to remind you of it each and every day. I just love you so much. I can't even begin to put into words how much it means to have you in my life. I am one of the luckiest girls in the world to become your wife this weekend. It just doesn't get much better than a lifetime of love with you!

Love,

Fox

May 4th

Dear Copper,

You're out mowing our lawn right now, so figured I would take this moment to write you your daily letter now instead of tonight when I usually do... I just walked in and saw the fox picture you bought for me on the kitchen table. I love it :) Can't believe it is less than 3 days until we will be married!!!! Ahhhhhhh!

Love,

Fox

May 3rd

Dear Copper,

Tonight we were on the phone and you were able to guess exactly what I was eating at the time based on my food crunching... I think this means you know me. Haha

Also, one day closer to our wedding and being husband and wife! Ahhhhhhh! It's just so soon! 

Love,

Fox

May 2nd

Dear Copper,

So today I had people tell me that I have white teeth, the weather is going to be nice Saturday, I look more tan, and that living with boys is hard, along with asking me how excited I am. You'd swear we were getting married soon or something.

I just still can't wrap my head around it... I know we will be husband and wife at the end of the week, but it just still hasn't really hit me yet. We are getting married. Like forever and always. Somehow those words are absolutely terrifying and thoroughly exciting at the same time. Like, for real, we are getting married. We are getting married this year in fact. More specifically, this month. Even this week. In a few days one might say. And this means we will be together for a lot of years. And even more months. And a lot of weeks. And too many days to even count... This is all really happening! You are going to be my forever-and-always husband by the end of the week!

Love,

Fox

May 1st

Dear Copper,

First of all, it's officially the month and week of our wedding. I'm not exactly sure where the time even went... it feels like just yesterday that we were sitting at the dinner table at Mike Duffy's talking about whether or not you saw yourself ever moving back to St. Louis.

That aside, I'm currently sitting alone at our house with no sound... you aren't here with the television on, you aren't here to give me a hug, you aren't here to tell me how your day was or talk with me, and it's just... quiet. And this, my dear, is exactly why I need you in my life. Without you, my life would be empty, silent, and longing for social interaction and a deep connection with another person. I know people are close to me and I have friends, but somehow I kind of feel lonely right now in this quiet house alone. Thanks for making sure I never become the sad old lady who lives alone playing the radio all the time for company, and for always making me feel loved. Can't wait to be your wife and have a built-in best friend for life... less than 6 days now!

Love,
Fox