Can you believe it? I’ve been at this for four weeks now. We’re almost home.

You may have missed yesterday’s fanfare, so I’ll go about tooting my horn again. I won NaNoWriMo last night. I came in at 50,045 words and I called it quits for the month. My brain is dead. I have insane calluses on my middle finger and my pointer finger from holding my pen (did I mention I wrote all of that longhand?). I went through three pens and a notebook and a half. Today, I’ve already found myself itching to write again (maybe it has to do with the two marathons I wrote this weekend) but I’m not picking up my pen again until at least the 1st. I’ve earned the rest and I want time to focus on finishing my other November projects.

Going against what I said yesterday, I started a new book today. One of the teachers at school lent it to me. It was written by another American who visited Konotop some years back. While Konotop is only mentioned once in a brief chapter about a return trip to Ukraine, it’s interesting to read about someone else’s reactions to the country. I’m halfway through it already and I’m going to read some more tonight.

Today’s task in my 30 Day Challenge is to write a love letter. Alternatively, if you’re single like me you can write a love poem to woo that gal you’re after. I’m not going to do either. Instead, I’m going to write an anonymous like letter. If you’re the girl I have in mind, chances are you’ll know it. Sit back and be ready to have your socks knocked off.

Dearest [REDACTED],

Today, I may be five thousand miles away from you, but more than once I’ve caught myself thinking about how I like you. I considered counting the ways but I fear I don’t have enough paper to keep track. But I want you to know that I do, in fact, like you quite a bit.

Do you remember the day we met? I do. It was the first week of class, sophomore year. A mutual friend introduced us before class. I was an ass. I ignored you, I had other things on my mind. I’m sorry for that because I wonder if an opportunity was missed. I don’t think we talked to each other more than a word the rest of the semester. You disappeared and so did I. Then, seemingly by chance, we reconnected. In 17 characters you sent out a plea to the world and I answered. The rest, as they say, is history.

That first time we truly spent time together, I was as shy as I was when I was thirteen and around girls. Something about you made me nervous. Something about you made me lose my words and not know what to say. Today, I have more to say to you but I still get that feeling of butterflies when we talk. I don’t get it with other girls, just you.

I like the way we can sit and have coffee together and we don’t have to say anything for it to be a good time. I like that I have to work to get details out of you. I like that when we share a coffee, or a dinner or a walk I know that I’m with the most beautiful girl in the room. I like your mind and the wit it produces. I like how your philosophy in life is different from mine, but I don’t mind. I like that you can share your worries about life with me because it makes me realize that I’m not the only one who worries about these things.

When I am around you, I’m a better person. When I’m not around you I ask myself if you would approve or not because I want to be a better person.

I carry the only note you ever wrote me on the card you gave me before I left. I carry it because I want to keep you close to me. To remind me that I don’t need to speak to enjoy someone’s conversation. I carry it to remind me that there’s a girl in this world who humbles me with nervousness. I carry your card because every time I take it out and I look at the beauty of your handwriting, I’m reminded that it’s only a small fraction of the beauty that makes you, you.

I hope that when I return from this life five thousand miles away from you that our paths will cross at least for a moment so once again I can be the envy of everyone around.

I want you to know that I like you.

With all my like,

Danny

That ought to do it.