There was a time, letter writing prevailed as a significant aspect of relationships; whether it was family and friends spreading news of events, both blessings and tragedies, or lovers overcome with emotion that could not be contained, the overflowing passion for one another that would truly build up the art of communication between them, thus bonding them in more ways than the physical bond could provide.

Unfortunately, there has been a decline in letter writing as has communication as well as relationships which makes one wonder if it's all coincidental or if there lies a correlation.

We live in a fast-paced world where too much falls into the realm of instantaneous gratification with instant messaging, email, cell phones carried on a person, transportation that provides physical presence more often, even relationships jumping too quickly into intimacy, cohabitation, and even marriage.

It feels as if the foreplay in building that special bond in a relationship, has been omitted from the equation whereas waiting for something such as a hand written letter, intensified that desire, waiting for that moment where fireworks crackle after the first kiss, waiting for the weekend to be over so you can see each other again, waiting until the eyes are no longer watching to embrace one another, waiting until morning to speak to each other again...

Trueness is worth the wait, taking the time to get to know each other, to build a friendship, to write a heart-rending letter, filled with words carefully chosen and eternal.

A few days back you asked when I first noticed you. I admit that I had not really given much thought of it. I of course noticed you the first time I met you; however as with you, I was honoring my vows.

I believe I mentioned to you, just before going to Orlando, for some reason, your name came up in my quiet time. I didn't quite understand it and although I almost mentioned it to you several times, I knew no one knew of my relationship situation and thought I would sound quite deranged if I mentioned it. I was looking forward to the Orlando trip and was even preparing to ask if you wanted to ride with me.

I would be untruthful if I said I was not disappointed that you did not attend.

The night I was to share my life story, I felt so honored you came. You were even early and asked if I was nervous. You have no idea how comforting you were just by making me feel important.

Days later when I divulged the status of my relationship, again you were there to offer comfort, a shoulder to cry on, and encouragement especially for the testimony I was to share at the Favor House. You truly listened to me.

Then something happened...the day we went to lunch at the Japanese restaurant, I was continuing to use your shoulder until you responded to a rhetorical question, I presented regarding disclosing my marital history to a future suitor.

Your response was from your heart as you reminded me that it should not be in them to judge. My heart melted for a moment because I looked at you and noticed the way you were looking back at me. You were not judging me. You did not see my jaded past as something to be ashamed of. Instead, you saw the woman inside of me, yearning to be a better person.

That afternoon it hit me. I didn't want to use you as a shoulder to cry on over a perceived failure. I would rather use your shoulder to wrap my arms around as I embraced you. I saw you as a caring and gentle man that authentically wanted to know me, even to the point of keeping a boundary on any physical intimacies.

The sense of worth you made me feel gave me such a deep feeling of honor as I realized I had become captivated by you.

The intensity continues to build as if it were all just glorious foreplay...

Until pen and paper kiss again...