LOVE LETTER: Eleanor Roosevelt to Lorena Hickok

Hick, my dearest–
I believe it gets harder to let you go each time, but that is because you grow closer.
You have grown so much to be a part of my life that it is empty without you.
All day I’ve thought of you and another birthday I will be with you.
Oh! I want to put my arms around you. I ache to hold you close.
Your ring is a great comfort and more love than I can express in a letter is flying on waves of thought to you.
I’ve been trying to bring back your face — to remember just how you look.
Funny how even the dearest face will fade away in time. Most clearly I remember your eyes,
with a kind of teasing smile in them, and the feeling of that soft spot just north-east
of the corner of your mouth against my lips. Soft and a little whimsical. I adore every expression. Bless you darling.

The nicest time of the day is when I write to you.
May the world be full of sunshine, and our meetings frequent be
hours of joy and quiet time.  Take us over life’s rough seas.
Of course you will forget the sad times at the end and eventually think only of the pleasant memories.
Life is like that. I feel very happy because every day brings you nearer. I love you deeply and tenderly.
I want you to have a happy life. You’ve made of me so much more of a person just to be worthy of you.

One day perhaps fate will be kind and let us arrange a life more to our liking
for the time being we are lucky to have what we have.
Dearest, we are happy together and strong relationships have to grow deep roots.
We’re growing them now. The foliage and the flowers will come, somehow I’m sure of it.
Always remember that I go to sleep thinking of you.

I wish I could lie down beside you tonight and take you in my arms.