This is for Brett whom I affectionately refer to as "BA."
I know I am not as demonstrative with you in public as I am other players and I think the reason for that is because I take our lengthy friendship for granted. I assume that it's just always going to be there because for as long as I can remember, it has been. I assume that it is just established and understood that out of the great collective that makes up our community and its talented player-base, you have a permanent residence in my heart as someone I have always cared deeply about and is the most special to me, for many reasons. But, as was pointed out to me recently by someone, just because something is in my head doesn't mean it's actually known by others, even if I think it is. It was suggested to me that I should work on my communication skills.
So here goes.
I consider it an honor and a privilege to be your partner and I can only hope that you feel the same in return.
I know that I can be difficult at times but you have always exhibited an incredible amount of restraint and patience with me and perhaps that is why I feel the way I do. Playing with you these last seventeen years has been an absolute pleasure. I look at that and it seems unimaginable that I met you online in my early twenties and I'm now pushing forty (I still have 3 years left to go!
) But it's the truth.
I place the value of "Friend" on someone who remains standing by me at my worst, not my best. You have been my captive audience through a lot of my drama over the years but what I remember most is that when I needed you to be there or to lean on? You were. You didn't abandon me in my darkest hours but stood by me and helped me through some really rough times, especially in the last five years, which have been the worst for me.
I like that we have history and I like our history. I hope we can play together for seventeen more years.
What can I say here that I have not already said privately to you, a thousand different ways? As a writer and player, you stand out with your unique way of painting a picture with words that at times seem to have been written by you and for you. I have always told you I feel like I am actually there when we're playing.
That's a rare gift you have and not one many can lay the same claim to.
You are amazing and I love you very much.
I guess, in the nutshell, I just want you to know how much I appreciate you and I could never thank you enough for being as kind to me as you have been all this time.
~ S
