Dear Anne,

I am writing to you from University College Library, and I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that it's 1:00 am in the morning. That's right, another late night cramming. A buddy of mine asked me recently why I do it? "You're smart enough, Gil, ease up already!" he said. I wasn't sure how to answer his question in that moment, nor have I been able to stop thinking about it since.

For your reading pleasure, here's what I've been able to put together so far:

I am so hungry for knowledge, Anne. Each and every day I am flabbergasted as how much I don't know, and alarmed by how limited my time at the University of Toronto is. Four years to get my medical degree, more if I decide to do graduate research, but it'll never be enough. There are so many incredible books to read and so many fascinating people to talk to, not to mention all of the amazing discoveries to, well, discover. Four years will never be enough time to know everything, but I've got to try.

I think my academic relentlessness may also have something to do with you, Anne. I know what you're thinking and, no, this isn't my old competitiveness rearing its ugly head. (We're past that now, yes?) I think it has more to do with knowing my heart and feeling comfortable in the vision I have of our future together. I'm not like the other guys in the dorm, scrambling to the rugby pitch after class to show off or worrying about what to wear to the ice cream social at Trinity to get noticed by the object of their affection. I've already been noticed by someone, and I've taken notice, so there is no need to waste any time on those games.

More than any of this, though, I think it's about family. When my father and I went out West, he challenged me to suck the marrow out of life and not waste a moment of it. "Carpe Diem" was our motto on that trip and you should have heard us hollering it from the highest peaks for all of the world to hear! I want to do him proud, Anne, and my mother. And Mary of course. I feel called to do something for other families like mine. The calling is so loud and so palpable in fact that I sometimes wonder if God-himself has authored it in me? If the calling of the Lord is not a motivator, I don't know what is.

I think of you often, my Anne, and wonder which of your many callings you're answering today. I'm counting down the days until we meet again. The plan we carved out for our grand reunion in still stands, yes?

All my love,
Gilbert

P.S. Absolutely no one saw you fall flat on your face when you were running to catch your train, not even me. xo

-

Dear Gilbert,

I did it! I got the part! I am playing Ophelia in the Queen's production of Hamlet. I could not be more excited to grace the stage again. I was certain that Eleanor was going to get it. You should see her lovely raven hair and sparkly auburn eyes - she simply exudes Ophelia - but the director said I was more "invested in the text" that the other girls and that the choice was an easy one. Can you believe that? You will recall that only once before have I had the opportunity to channel my inner thespian and in that instance I played a young boy at odds with an evil lobster so not exactly Shakespeare.

Speaking of Lobsters, Sebastian will have no doubt told you of Rachel's sad news. Marilla tells me that Rachel is muscling through, pretending as though she's not devastated and throwing herself into church and her volunteer commitments. Marilla suspects Rachel is in for a terrible fall, likely more of a crash and burn, and is preparing to be with her when it comes. That's friendship, the very definition.

I hope and pray and Diana's falls are few and far between. She is fretting terribly about her upcoming piano examinations. Just yesterday, she burst into tears when she couldn't find the hair ribbon she wanted to wear to her last practice session. Gilbert, I have to tell you something. I've been putting it off for over a week now but I simply must out with it. In a fit of resolve and with no romantic prospects of her own to distract her, Diana forced me to tell Ruby of our arrangement. Sorry, no, not arrangement. I mean relationship, or … regardless of what we're calling it, Diana betrayed me and now Ruby knows. I am so sorry as I know we agreed to only tell Diana and Bash until we had an audience with Matthew and Marilla. What's worse, Ruby's not talking to me for reasons that I am sure are perfectly obvious to you. What a disaster. Classic Anne, making a mess of absolutely everything and alienating everyone in her wake.

Thank you for your letter. Your singleness of purpose and unwavering dedication to your calling are an inspiration to me. You are going to change the world, Gilbert, I just know it. Promise me that you won't work too hard, though. Toronto is beautiful and busy and you'll miss out on all the fun of college life if you study too hard. Give me your word you'll venture out with those trivia friends of yours again soon?

The plan still stands, yes. Only 21 days, my love.

Romantically yours,

Anne

P.S. You mention in your letter that you have a vision for our future. Please, do tell.