AMELIE IS A FAN AND WRITER FROM THE UK. FIND HER ON AO3
December 18th, 1899
My Anne with an E,
I must first apologize for how brief my letter to you may turn out to be. Believe me, I want nothing more than to be able to fill up these pages with lines upon lines of writing; to tell you how, I too, feel as if I am floating high up above the ground, hovering in a sort of blissful oblivion at the prospect of being reunited with you so soon. It’s a sensation I cannot quite describe no matter how hard I try, and one that you do so well. You were always (and still are) good with words, Anne-girl.
But alas, I have not yet finished my exams, and although they are coming to an end the last ones always seem the most challenging. I suppose it doesn’t make it any easier that my mind is caught up with a thousand and one thoughts of you in every moment; of holding you in my arms, seeing your bright hair flowing behind you as you run toward me just as I have been imagining for so long. My mind is running rampant again, but you mustn’t think you are distracting me from my studies, my love—in fact, thinking of you has been the only thing that has kept me going through it all, I’m sure of it. I wish you the best in your studies too, though I am positive that you will finish the semester with as much strength and resilience as you have always shown. You have never been one to back down from a challenge, now, have you?
Speaking of finishing semesters... for the last week, between the stacks of study notes lodged at the back of my mind, I haven’t been able to stop picturing the night of which I can finally accompany you to the dance. Ben is looking forward to meeting you there, as he has been subject to many a tale of our days in Avonlea; my endless talk of you as we slumped over our desks, staring with tired eyes at open textbooks (a regular occurrence, I’m afraid) I’m not ashamed to admit it. I talk about you, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert, whenever I can. I’m sure I will never tire of it.
I am so proud of you for using that passionate spirit of yours to do something so incredibly significant as Progressive Reform. I would be honoured to take part in your plans, but only if you feel I am up to scratch! You must tell me all about it when I see you.
Before I sign off (and I must, as I have been writing for a lot longer than I anticipated! This revision won’t leap into my brain by itself, though sometimes I wish it would, as I’m sure you do) I wanted to mention Dellie’s birthday. I’ve been thinking about what you said, and how you wish you could do something to repay Bash in some way. You’ll have to trust me when I say that giving Dellie a gift of any kind will make Bash happier than you can imagine. I’m certain he already knows how much you care for him and Dellie, and believe me when I tell you that you bring as much joy into his life as he does into yours. As he is my brother, I am forever grateful he gets to have you in his life. You inspire him, as you inspire so many others.
I love you, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert, more than anything in the world. I am so incredibly happy to be starting a new chapter of my life with you, and I know everything will turn out right as long as we are together—and before long, we will be!
See you soon, my darling.
Gilbert