Because the discussion of a letter written by Oliver to Shane occurred on Twitter, and something lovely came to mind.
It was a quiet afternoon at the office. Each of his colleagues, employed in their daily tasks, went about their work. Oliver, however, found himself inexplicably distracted by one colleague in particular.
As she sat elegantly in a muted floral print dress at her mobile work station processing packages, Oliver couldn't help but be in awe of her. Shane was, perhaps, the most radiant and intriguing woman in whom he had ever found himself so enamored. In fact, he had never quite felt for anyone what he felt for Shane McInerney. He constantly struggled to define for himself, let alone anyone else, what exactly it was about Shane that made her so precious to him.
But out of nowhere, he felt the overwhelming urge to put pen to paper. He set aside the paperwork he was filling out, and reached into a desk drawer. And, as if divinely inspired, began putting words to paper.
My Dearest Shane,
As I sit here at my desk, diligently working, but repeated distracted by the steady click of your keyboard and mouse, I find it difficult to return to the task at hand, Ms. McInerney. So, instead, I have decided to write you a letter. Perhaps these are things I should have conveyed long ago, but perhaps this is a message that I am only now ready to make known to you.
A treasure is something a person will seek their entire life without guarantee, something a person will value above all else, and protect at all costs. To me, that treasure can only be found in the quiet moments sitting next to you on your (our) porch swing, sipping coffee in the morning before bringing you to our second home. It hides between every word we exchange, whether in jest, in truth, in challenge or out of care. It lingers behind the mischievous glint in your eye when you're moments away from doing something of which I typically wouldn't approve, but which, undoubtedly, yields something amazing. It reveals itself through each gentle touch of comfort and reassurance you have frequently, and so generously, bestowed upon me. It is the evenings, after hours, when you take my outstretched hand and agree to dance with me. How blessed am I to have found these gems, these treasures, in you, Shane.
All my love,
Oliver
He carefully folded the paper into thirds, unsure what he would do with it next, but feeling extremely satisfied, and newly appreciative, of this woman who had managed to captivate him mind, heart and soul.
Oliver's glance drifted towards her work station, only to find her staring back at him. If she had been watching him, Oliver had no idea how long. But, as was common, her gaze held, and neither was willing to let it go. As a small smile tugged at her her lip, he found himself unable to restrain his own smile. It seemed to cause her a sense of pride, and Shane attempted to refocus her attention on the task in front of her, satisfied to have made him smile, too.
The letter in his hands drew his attention back to the words he had only just written. He contemplated giving it to her right then and there, but, using his better judgment, decided to hang onto it. If nothing else, it would be his personal reminder of what she meant to him, to be read at times when, in his easily wracked mind, he forgot the truths that held him together.
Besides, their relationship was so new that feelings this deep, while felt, deserved time and attention before being verbalized.
It didn't make the feelings any less real, however. Instead, they give him the blueprint for what to cherish and what to focus on when it came to honoring and cherishing this woman he was blessed with.
I can't wait to see how ShOliver progresses! :)