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From: <wcx9872@pinoak.com>

To: <cosmos@shamrockmall.com>

Subject: Please post this.

Date: Friday, October 12, 2001 4:35 AM

Dear Webmaster,

Some people might have wondered if something was wrong with the relationship between Elke and me. They might have thought that normal married people do not allow themselves to be separated for so long unless something is wrong with their relationship. They are right. Elke is not a normal person and our love is not ordinary. She and our love are extraordinary. I offer this silly message from me to her, and her extraordinary response to proudly show the world how much we do love each other.

I offer my apology in advance to Elke, because she would not give me permission to put this on the web if I asked her, so I am not going to ask her. I also apologize to her for not writing such a silly message to her earlier. She worries enough for both of us and I am sorry for adding to her worries.

Thank you for putting this out for the world to see.

Joe Dorr

Captain of the Cosmos

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October 10, 2001

Dearest Elke,

You should be here because it is so lovely here. You should be here because you are so lovely. You should be here because Aaron is coming. You should be here to scratch my back and so that I can scratch yours. You should be here so that I could impress you with some silly stunt. You should be here to keep me warm. You should be here so that you and I could hold hands and study the night sky. You should be here so that we could hold hands while we watch a beautiful sunset. You should be here because the water is so clear. You should be here because the fish are so colorful and too difficult for me to describe. You should be here because you would love the motus and the mountains. You should be here because I worry about your worrying too much. You should be here to take care of my cold. You should be here because you would make the meals taste better. You should be here because mealtime would be a lot more interesting. You should be here because I want to talk to you for a long, long time. You should be here because I want to hear you laugh. You should be here because I don't have enough pictures of you. You should be here because you would love to love me. You should be here because we are so compatible. You should be here so that we could laugh together. You should be here so that we could dance together. You should be here so that we could sleep together. You should be here so that you could write about what you see and experience. You should be here to meet the local people. You should be here because, because, because.

You should be here because I miss you terribly.

If you were here, I would promise not to sing to you.

Love, and miss you.

Joe

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Date: 10/11/01

Dearest Joe,

Words can't begin to tell you how your last email made me feel. I think it is among my most cherished letters from you. I cried to read it; it was as though a dam gave way in me, and love for you poured forth. I could hear your voice in the words; I could see your eyes when they look in my face; I could feel your love warming the air around me. I can't begin to thank you enough for those comforting words. I thought you had forgotten our life as it was before you left for you voyage; until this morning, I was afraid we were in some way irreparably damaged. But now I know those fears were just fears, and not what is true. Your words reminded me of what is true and real and enduring. Wherever you are, I am beside you: when you look at the night, remember the night arches over me too; when you dive into that clear water, know that I'm on deck looking after you; when you visit another new landscape and meet its people, know that I walk with you. I will always be with you, Joe, no matter where you are. We have come so far together, loved each other for so much of our lives, that mere distance in the world is only space, a space which can't separate us from each other's hearts and souls. At times during the last months I had forgotten that, and I'm sorry my pain at your leaving had obscured what I know to be true: I love you with all my heart and soul. ever, e [Elke]