Dear Camera Shy,

I never knew how easy it was to get lost in anyone's eyes until I found you. If only you would let me capture a picture of the perfect way the light gleams in your eyes.

I love the way your eyes invite me in but no one else. I love the smirk on your face when you make a funny mistake. I love your golden hair that reminds me of sunsets hitting the horizon just right.

I love the way your face says everything that I need to hear without your lips moving at all. I love how you encourage me to be myself when we're alone in your car. I love that you take my hands and make me feel like nothing is as important as us.

But, Camera Shy, I'm tired of the way you're two different people. I'm tired of the way you act like we're not equal in the face of your onlooking friends. How much more of this bullying can I handle when it comes from your kin?

Why can't you just tell them that my preference doesn't matter, that I'm just as important, and my feelings are just as worthy as theirs are for their partners?

I love the way you look at me, but I don't love the way you "have" to look at me. I love when you hold my hand, but I don't love the way you slap things out of my hands just the same. I love when I whisper your name in your ear, and you kiss my cheek softly. I hate that when I see you in public, you have to laugh at me cruelly.

My family adores you and respects your privacy, but how much more can I take of this modesty?

I want to announce to the world that you're mine to hold and mine to love. But you don't even care how I feel because you're afraid to admit it. There are books and movies written for people like us, and why do they get to announce their love with no hate?

So, I will attach the only photo of us to this letter, I can't want you anymore. Not like this. I understand that you need time to feel better about yourself. I understand that you're not ready to announce this loud secret.

But, Camera Shy, how am I supposed to love a guy that hates me in public? How do I love a guy that makes me feel worth everything and nothing at the same time? I promise I won't.

So, here it is, my final goodbye.