Hamish,
I'm so glad we're doing this. You. Me. Lettuce. Love it. I can't remember the last time I wrote a letter. Did we ever write letters to each other? I don't think we did. I mean, back in high school I was writing a fair few I-know-we're-just-friends-but-I-secretly-love-you-and-I-hope-you-magically-realise-that-without-me-having-to-say-anything letters. But they weren't sent to you obviously. And they definitely weren't also sent to thousands of strangers to read. Probably because I only needed to be loved and adored by one person at a time in high school. Oh, how I've grown.
You know, I actually struggled with what to write in this first letter. I thought it'd just flow. It's just a letter! What's the big deal? Just write, right? Write! Right?
But it kinda feels like I'm writing the first episode of a TV show or something like that. On one hand I know I have to try (I said try!) to make it funny, but I ALSO feel like I need to set up the characters and their backstory so the reader has some context before the story starts. But that's always hard to do without it feeling forced.
You know what I mean? Ugh, what am I saying, of course you do! We know each other so well! I mean, we have been friends since Year 9 haven't we!? Remember when you came to my school and we immediately became besties? It was 25 years ago but hopefully it rings a bell. Yeah it's fun to remember things. Just thinking about it now reminds me of how we spent years laughing and acting in the school plays together before travelling the world and working together for years to come. So good. Oh, and remember when I was best man at your wedding when you married that writer from Sydney who wanted to start her own skincare range? Yeah, you probably remember that too. I love remembering stuff.
Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is of course you know what I mean. So why am I struggling with writing this? We're basically brothers! I should just write from the heart and be honest! That's all this needs to be. A place for the two of us to be real and truthful with each other. I'd like that.
Anyway, enough about us and our perfectly contextual history together... HOW ARE YOU BRO? How's the family? Oh and how's your course going!? I can't wait to hear about it. Sorry if this is a dumb question, but once you graduate will you be an "official" witch? Or are all witches "official"? Or will you be a wizard? Or is it a warlock??? Sorry, I'm sure I'm getting all the terminology wrong and putting my foot in it! Either way, I'm excited for you mate. You've wanted this for so long!
I'll never forget when that Justin kid at school said you'd be "the worst witch ever", and you were so genuinely pissed off with him that you spent all your paper round money to go and get an actual nose job to look like an actual witch. It looked so legit. It was so long and pointy and had those real hairs sticking out of it. Oh and the wart! Such a classic witch nose. Justin was so humiliated when you rocked up to assembly with it. Legendary. Actually, have you got any photos of you with that witch nose? PLEASE send if you do! 🙏
You're going to be such a good witch. Or are you going for bad witch? Doesn't matter to me. Whatever type of witch you want to be will be so great. Are you learning spells? And is it a broomstick situation or is that not really a thing?
Anyway... not much to report at my end. Oh except that I've started growing again! I hadn't grown at all since I was a teenager but suddenly in the last 3 months I've grown 20cm! I'm actually still growing every day but the doctor I spoke to on Telehealth said it's just a growth spurt and it should stop soon. 🤞 I'll keep you updated.
Okay mate, that's it from me. Can't wait to hear from you next month.
Missing you as always,
❤️
Ryan