Round 3: we had to be a explorer/adventure and write a love letter to the those we left behind. Word count had to be 753- as it is.

I finally did it, Michael! I took the leap and did something on my own! Please don't take it the wrong way. I wasn't running away, I just needed to find who I am without you.

And as it turned out, there wasn't a 'me' without you. I think about you every day. God, we were so young, Michael. It was the end of my senior year, and we were practically living together! Every weekend we had free we were either spending it at my mom's or your mom's. The weeks apart were a torture, they had seemed like an enternity then. But they were nothing compared to now.

I saw the add: explorers wanted, never before seen islands. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, all-expense paid! They had guaranteed training and a guide to go with us. Well, I guess they had cut the fundings short, because none of us were offered a guide. They left us on an island one by one, until they were gone.

At first I thought it was a joke; a mistake. But they haven't come back. Not yet, at least. This had me thinking. I had made a lot of mistakes in my life, but I know you were never one of them. You gave me a life, a family. I miss you all so much it hurts. Every night I cry myself to sleep wishing to be with my kids. I didn't think there was a 'me', that I was only a housewife and a mother. But I realize now that that was 'me'. No one goes through life without changing, growing older and maturing. Life has a way of changing poeple over the years.

It had taken us five years of talking on the internet before meeting. And it wasn't even flirting, not really. Those five years were spent talking about our lives, our dreams, even the boys I was dating. Somehow though you knew we would end up together, even back then. I couldn't believe your mother had kept that voice message from me when I called at sixteen! We wouldn't have had that had you just answered the phone! I was so nervous when I was going to meet your mom for the first time. The two hours in the truck was killer, however, you held my hand and reassured me that she was going to like me. And of course, you were right.

I think back on those earlier times, as I often did when we were together. We were so in love- couldn't keep our hands off each other! Your puppy dog eyes had me in from the beginning! Such adoration in them. Everyone could see how much you love me. That first night we meet, we went to play lunar putt-putt and I don't even remember who won. I had two of my friends with me, and we all had a good time. But what I do remember was you carrying my purse for me and saying yes ma'am whenever I asked for something. Later on, when it was just the two of us, we watched movies in my room. I pretended to fall asleep because I didn't want it to end; I didn't want you to leave. I felt so safe with you.

And it had worked. You stayed the night, though you made sure to sleep on top of the covers. I recall you kept tugging them up on me, you were so sweet and cute. However, you must have froze that night!

People get busy, get caught up with every day life that they forget what it was like; they forget the little things that keep people in love, or so I thought. Our love hasn't changed, just like the person I use to be hadn't disappeared. Love just grows older; it matures.

You would love looking up at the night sky here, Michael. You can see everything so clearly. The stars are beautiful; it takes my breath away. But not as much as you did when you had said 'I do'. I guess my only consolation is that the same night sky watches over you all, too.

I would say taking this trip was a mistake, but then I would have never made all these discoveries- even if they're not the discoveries I was sent here to find.

I hope you guys look after one an other. Read to them at night, give them kisses, and my love.

I love you, Michael, always.