Communication is Key

I recently came across a website called Formal Notices from the Bureau of Communication.  It is this really great site that was created to help people better communicate by introducing a fill in the blank letter for all kinds of things.  There is a formal apology, a statement of gratitude, a declaration of romantic intent, a marriage proposal, and even a universal non-disclosure agreement.

Obviously I found this absolutely brilliant and hysterical.  So I made this Declaration of Romantic Intent and I sent it to Josh.

As you will notice in the Please Reply portion I have checked Immediately, In Writing, and With Enthusiasm.  And this is how he chose to reply:

I got home from MacBeth rehearsal last night completely exhausted.  I have to wake up early for work every morning and stay up late for rehearsals so I'm usually super tired when I get home and I crawl right into bed.  When I laid down I felt a paper beneath my pillow, which was weird because my bed is my happy place and I refuse to bring homework into my happy place, so the likelihood of it being something of mine was very slim.  When I pulled it out it was a square piece of paper that said "#17  Because I'd still love you if you turned into a 'mole girl'."

My curiosity was peeked and I immediately started ripping apart my bedroom to find more of these wonderful little papers.  I have so far found numbers 15, 7, 9, 13, 4, and 5.  When I asked Josh about these delightful papers that were making my stomach do a number of gymnastic flips he sent me a text that said "Reasons why I lo... you're awesome.  #1 you will be taking the time to find all 35 reasons."

Clearly I have the coolest boyfriend in the world.  Well, he'd be even cooler if he would just tell me where he's hid the rest of these smile inducing papers, but he refuses.  Therefore I have drafted this official complaint:

The end.

Dear Young Man,

I have never talked to you, met you, or even seen you, I only know your name and what an amazing person you must be.  I want to take this time to thank you for reaching out to someone who is usually ignored by most of the teenagers her age.

My little sister is one of the most inspirational and amazing people I know.  She has been through her fair share of serious trials and probably about 15 more added onto that.  And even after all that she has been through, all that she deals with daily, and everything else in her life that I can guarantee she goes through when the rest of us don't see, she is the most loving and happy person I know.  She is constantly trying to make people smile, laugh, and just feel good about life.  She is the most loving person I know, but people don't seem to see that.

The only thing they see is a short, red-headed, socially awkward 16 year old who looks more like a 13 year old.  She may have some mental and physical differences, but no she is not in fact mentally disabled.  She may be slower than most when it comes to learning, she may not be as coordinated as most girls her age, and no she still doesn't eat solid foods and instead gets all her nutrition from a nutritionally enhanced drink, but she is an amazing person!  And when you take the time to get to know her you'll realize that and fall in love with her adorable personality.

You took the time to get to know her and saw how wonderful she was, and because of that you wanted to make her happy the same way she tries to make others happy.  I am so glad that you asked my sister to Homecoming!  No she probably didn't enjoy the day activity as much as everyone else (she can't actually golf, and she doesn't eat ice cream), and yes she will most likely cringe at how loud the music is (her ears are very sensitive and she hates loud noises), and yes she will get tired during the dance (probably before the dance is even half over), and no she probably won't have much to talk about with you (unless you talk about Pokemon or Avatar: the Last Airbender), but she is so excited to go the the dance with you.  And because you asked her she gets to experience something that we were never sure she would get to experience.

Thank you for being an amazing and caring young man, and asking my little sister to a High School dance.  It was incredibly thoughtful of you and I'm sure that as the schools star basketball player you could have asked anyone you wanted, but you asked her.  Thank you for that!  I appreciate everything you've done.  I'm impressed that you met my parents to ask about her likes and dislikes, and I'm impressed that you have taken one of your own fun High School nights and made it about someone else.

You are an amazing young man, and you will grow up to be an equally amazing man!  Thank you again for not only making my sister incredibly happy, but my whole family as well.

A Letter

Dear Old Man on a Horse,

You probably don't remember me, but I just want to take the time to thank you.  About 4 years ago I was having a really bad day, I can't remember why, but what I remember is that it was bad enough that I drove up into the mountains alone so I could cry where no one would see.  Unfortunately I didn't take into consideration people traveling on horseback which is why you stumbled upon me.  You knew nothing about me, but as soon as you saw a teenage girl crying on the hood of her car you got off your horse and attempted to comfort me.

Without saying anything you approached me and put your hand on my shoulder.  You kept your hand there until I looked up into you face and you smiled at me.  You told me you wouldn't leave until you saw a smile on my 'pretty' face.  Through my tears I managed to smile at you and when I did you laughed.  It was such a cute old man laugh that I couldn't help smiling more.  You then picked up two stones off the ground and showed me one.  It was jagged and rough and you proceeded to tell me that life can be hard sometimes but if you keep smiling through the pain and anger things will get better.

You smiled at me one last time, dropped the rough stone, and handed me a very smooth rock.  

"You'll be alright." 

You waited for me to smile again, and then you turned around, got back on your horse, and rode away.

I've never forgotten the kindness you showed me that day.  And I still have that smooth stone you gave me.

Only adorable old men can get away with cheesy sayings that go along with stones picked up off the ground.  So thank you for taking the time to make a crying girl smile.  I wish you the best in life and know that you will be greatly rewarded in the afterlife for your kindness to a complete stranger.

Sincerely Amanda Dayton.