A shimmering, royal blue envelope arrives at Cherry’s address, oddly settled not where mail should fall when entered into his mail slot, but rather placed directly at the center of his bed. On the envelope’s front, the cherub’s name is elegantly written in gold ink. Upon opening it, Cherry will find a letter penned on heavy, stark white paper with what is clearly a proper quill pen and black ink. The lettering is not of the human alphabet; it is the intricate celestial script of the divine, the language of angels. There are a number of strikethroughs which have been left in, as if this letter had been edited as it was being written.
Blessed Cherub,
Sweet-faced and lovely, creation of God. A perfect and good thing. Thy splendor shines as bright as God’s love within thee. Today, your day, we all behold in the name of Saint Valentine. How thy mighty arrows fly with purpose and love. Shoot straight, for there are weeping hearts who wait. Heal them from loneliness with your wisdom and care. Holy! Holy! Thou art the master of the lovers and the loved. And yea, the archer cannot shoot himself. Does the archer’s heart ache? I wonder It is a wonder... Does love find thee? Does he who assigns love be not loved? I differ in thought to this. Thou art loved greatly and not solely by the Father and The Son.
You are loved, from your golden curls that shine with the warmth of the sun, to the youthful blush of thy cheeks, to the steadiness in hands that have touched me so tenderly and so fearlessly. This brave heart in thy breast beats unwavering and contagious. The warmth of you stirs a longing. To angels who do not feel, and yet I Passion, your tool of choice, is powerful. A terrible and beautiful force that rivals the fires of Archangel Mikael, Chief of God’s army, so that even I must yield.
“Are you hurt? Did someone hurt you?” Why does it still For all that you have taught me, for your guidance and patience, for your kindness and gentleness, for your stunning soul... I yield to thee. No harm will come to you, most beautiful one, forever and ever, for I am indebted. You have my gratitude. Come and find rest with me. Call my name in your times of trouble and strife, and in your times of peace. I will come, always, and tell you that you are loved.
