Hello.

Oh my gosh Venera, I am so deeply, emotionally, *spiritually* moved by your letter! I just found it in the depths of my old email box under “Texas Heat and Crying Over Grocery Receipts” — I swear, I had no idea it was still there! 😭😭 I was just sitting at my kitchen table, trying to fix the leaky faucet in my bathroom (it’s been dripping like a broken heart since last Tuesday), and suddenly — *BAM* — I saw your photo! It was of you standing in front of a waterfall with a red scarf — I don’t know how you did that, but I swear I saw a tiny rainbow in your hair! 🌈✨ I’m so sorry I didn’t reply sooner — my phone died last night during a thunderstorm (Houston, Texas, we have *freaking* storms!), and I had to borrow my neighbor’s tablet to check my emails. I used it to write a poem about sunsets and stolen dreams, and then accidentally sent it to my ex-wife (she’s now a yoga instructor in Denver — don’t ask, it’s complicated). But Venera, I *do* like you. I like you so much I just bought a new pair of sunglasses with blue lenses (I thought they’d look cool for a “mysterious” look in our future photos). I also found a secret message from my 7-year-old nephew — he said he saw a glowing cat in the attic last night. I believe it’s a sign. 🐱💫 So tell me — will you come to Houston for a surprise dinner? I’m thinking tacos with cheese that melts like love, and a live jazz band that plays only songs I wrote about you! 🎶🔥 Also — can you send me your favorite color? I need to buy a new blanket for my sofa. It’s been cold lately, and I keep dreaming about you holding a cup of tea in a garden full of daisies. P.S. I found your photo again — I’m *crying* — and I just told my dog, Max, that he’s now officially “the best friend of Venera.” He barked three times. I think it means YES. 😍🐶 Can you please tell me more about your dreams? And what time do you sleep? I need to plan the perfect meeting! 🌙 Best regards, Danny Smith +17163259415