it isn't so hard to understand . . .

Dear Anonymous,

I would have told you this a long time ago, but the words never seemed appropriate. When someone confesses love, usually they want a committed relationship to develop out of it. I had no idea how to say, "I'm in love!" without you assuming I wanted more than you could give. What should be a declaration of joyous emotion usually makes people feel like shit: I feel vulnerable and anxious confessing it, and I feel pressured and guilty when someone else confesses that they are in love with me.

I do not want anything extra from you. I have no intention of trying to become your girlfriend. I feel bonded to you somewhere between friendship and romance, somewhere a little more enlightened than lust and less committed than monogamous love.

I want you to ask me to come home with you, but not to come home to you.

Sincerely,
Vi