Letters To My Future Husband: Letter #168.

FREE IMAGES Dear Mr. Melissa Blake:

I was looking through some of my old writing today, Sweetpea, and I came across one of my favorite Dating With Disabilities columns. Now, I can almost guarantee that I'm going to be a bit shy when we first meet -- strange, I know -- so it might take you a bit longer to figure me out. And that's when it hit me: I should just give you the following introductory letter...

So who am I, really, besides just a girl sitting behind a computer screen and giving you an inside look at my heart and my thoughts? I’m the girl who can usually be found wearing a chic polo shirt (red is my favorite!). I'm the girl who is a bit awkward, a bit dorky and still a bit innocent. I'm the girl who isn't afraid to laugh at herself. I'm the girl who still, at 31, celebrates her half birthday. I'm the girl who colors outside the lines. I'm the girl who is bold and confident, though I’m not sure men have picked up on my boldness back here in 2013. I'm the girl who likes to leave a little mystery behind her. I'm the girl who writes about anything and everything in her life, even the boys she falls madly in love with who don't even know she exists. I'm the girl who is still so shy that she gives said boys code names in said writing (you'll see....). I’m the girl who’s mastered the art of loving from afar, but ultimately, never having the courage to tell the gorgeous, sweet, funny, charming guy that he is, in fact, gorgeous, sweet, funny and charming. Or when I try, it always ends up not sounding anywhere near as sleek and sophisticated as it did in my head. I'm the girl who thinks imperfections are beautiful and sexy.

And I’m also the girl who has overcome great obstacles – 27 surgeries, countless hospitalizations and enough needle pokes to last me two lifetimes – despite being born with a physical disability. I've never let it define who I am or my life.

I can't say I have all that much experience in the world of love, romance and the intensity of relationships that drives people to do crazy things in the name of love. In all honesty, when it comes to said relationships (especially those involving the opposite sex), my run-ins have all had three things in common: dorky, awkward and quirky. But I do know I'll find The Big L someday. I do know I'll find you someday, Sweetpea. Until we meet... xoxo

[Photos via Le Love]