Dearest Anne,

I write this after a long night, hard night. I am physically and emotionally exhausted. Delivering babies is usually one of the things I enjoy most, but not when the outcome is out it was this night. It makes me think of our first little lady, but I remind myself, Anne-girl, that we have been blessed many times over since. On my way home I am comforted by the thought of your soft, white, strong arms.

Ingleside is quiet and dark as I climb the stairs. I first walk past the boy's room. Little Jem, not so little anymore, with your ambition and competiveness, has again kicked off his blankets again. I stopped and covered him back up. Walter, with your love of poetry and beauty, is still in the position that he fell asleep in. Across the hall Nan, with your love of nature and Di, with your charisma are sleeping in their matching beds facing each other, obviously having fallen asleep sharing secrets past their bed time. In the next room Shirley, so quiet and introspective, sleeping with his arm around his teddy bear. Rilla, our surprise, is missing, but I know where I will find her.

I walk into our room, where I see two matching auburn heads. Rilla woke during the night and crawled into bed with you. You are both sleeping on your sides, arms around each other. Rilla has her head buried in your neck and your face is tilting down to the top of her head, a slight smile on your lips. My heart skips a beat; you can still take my breath away. As I watch you I feel myself fill with so much love that I could burst.

A peculiar thought came to me, what if this is all a dream… What if I am still in my bed at my parents' house delirious with fever? A shiver runs through my body. After I came out of it, my Dad told me I did call your name … a lot. Anne o'mine, if this is all a dream, some fever induced hallucination; I pray that I never wake. I told you that when I proposed the second time that I dreamed of a house, with children, friends, a dog and cat …and you, but this is so much beyond anything that I ever dared imagined.

I have loved you since I was 14 and that love has only grown. Cupid did not shot me with an arrow, but broke a slate over my head. Everything I was, am, or ever will be is all because of you. I know that this has not always been easy for you and I apologize for not being there for you more. I can not even fathom what my life would have been with out you. I know our vows were "for as long as we both shall live", but I lied. This love I have for you will never, can never die. I remember learning about Greek Soul Mates and Chinese Red Strings in school. I believe them…you are my other half, my destiny. You are my love, my life, my wife. My life has been worthwhile, because of you. And despite everything, when the Lord asks me what I did with my life I will say I loved Anne Shirley.

All my love.

Forever yours,

Gil