It’s Time To Express Your Love
Sep 19th, 2008 | Author: The Fly Guy | Category: Fly Perspectives
Comments (45)
Shortly after R&B super group Jodeci split up to focus on other endeavors, brothers K-Ci and Jo Jo released what is still (at least in my opinion) one of the best explanations on how to write a heartfelt letter to a loved one. Even though letter writing is a lost art form in 2008, you can still put this effective technique to use through email.
So today, I’ve decided to do a lyric-by-lyric breakdown of their song “Last Night’s Letter,” to not only explain their method, but to also use it as an exercise of expression for us all. Ready? Well let’s go.
Listen to “Last Night’s Letter”
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**Step 1: Explain your state of mind.
The Lyrics:
I was sitting at home, thinking to myself
I started thinking about you
The Fly Explanation: Before you begin to pour out your feelings, it’s important for the other person to know why you’re even writing them in the first place. A perfect way to do this is by briefly explaining your state of mind at the point of message composition.
**Step 2: Lay out your feelings.
The Lyrics:
How much I do love you, I really do
The Fly Explanation: There’s no need to beat around the bush. After you frame your mindset, get right down to the meat of your argument: your feelings for them. Valuable time is often wasted trying to come up with some cute or creative way to express how you feel. In the words of Joe Clark in Lean on Me: “Don’t f@ck around with it, do it expeditiously!!!”
**Step 3: Detail what your feelings mean.
The Lyrics:
I would never trade you, never forsake you
Cuz nothing could be better
That’s why I wrote you this letter
The Fly Explanation: Similar to Barack Obama’s task of explaining to America what change really means, you’ve now come to the point where you have to detail what your feelings entail. If you miss this step, then your words will come across as empty, and lacking any real substance since they didn’t move you to any type of substantive action.
**Step 4: Provide a closing argument.
The Lyrics:
I’ll love you always lady
The Fly Explanation: No real explanation is needed here. The proper way to close your message is to restate the main idea, which is more often than not your feelings for them.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Your Assignment: Now it’s your turn. Take the steps that I’ve detailed above, and practice writing a love note to someone. The person can be either real or imaginary. The point of this exercise is to get you accustomed to expressing yourself in a meaningful way. Upon completion, share your letter with the rest of us, and we’ll each take turns providing constructive comments on it.
My Letter: (Hey, I can’t really make an assignment without first doing it myself right?) Note: I’ve numbered the steps so you can see where I followed the pattern from above.
Dear Mystery Woman,
When I woke up this morning, there was so much that I wanted to thank God for: Life, health, family … and of course you.(₁) I love you—that much I’m sure of.(₂) And I’ll never let the outside world or the hectic pace of my career come between us. Never. (₃) So as your day begins, never let our love drift too far away from your thoughts, as I can assure you that it won’t stray too far from my own. I love you, and I’ll see you soon. (₄)
The Fly Guy
The ball is officially in your court..
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Damn FG, wat city are you in again? LMMFAO!!! That was pretty smooth my brutha! OK, give me a minute, and I’ll come back with my letter. I just had to comment, because I wish more men had your insite and would express things like you do. my my my :)
@Mz. Chief,
I appreciate the nice words. I’m no more expressive or insightful than anyone else. You just have to make it up in your mind that you’re going to be open and honest not only with yourself, but also with the people you decide to let in your life.
By the way, I’ll be looking forward to reading what you have to say…
FG, you really got me putting myself out here today. But I kinda have a situation, so I’m gonna try these steps out.
Dear Denise,
I was thinking about our argument yesterday so I wanted to write you about it. I know you may not believe it, but I do want us to be together. If that means that I have to start looking for a job with better hours then I’ll do it. I hope you hear what I’m saying, and will call me when you get a chance.
Brian
Ok, now that everyone in here knows my busines, and as soon as people stop laughing, can you tell me your opinion on that FG. Did I hit the points? Do you think it will work?
@B.C.
I think you did a great job expressing yourself in a concise way. You hit all of the points, but most of all it felt sincere. Hopefully that will work out for you.
Just a side note, I don’t know all of the details of your work situation, but there are lots of other ways to effectively show that you want to be someone outside of looking for a job with better hours. Since you mentioned though, it must be something that is causing some real stress between the two of you.
and as soon as people stop laughing
^^^^lmmfao JOKING seriously tho why you think we was gon’ laugh, i liked it, it was straight to the point, and NO ONE is laughing ….lol
i am still mad he sitting here thinking we just gon laugh like we ain’t cyber fam….i write letters to my husband alllllllll the time to me it’s an effective way of getting my point across to him w/o raising my voice, or slapping his ass, he is so stubborn and hard headed and all he see is black and white, there is no in between so talking to him is hard work, it’s waaaaaaay easier to write him a letter, kinda like an outline, i just did one the other day, lol it worked cause he was like okay i see what you saying sweetheart, lets talk about it like grownups….lol i be rambling the point is letter writing is effective….tis all
Chrissy,
Long time no hear. I’m over here tripping that you said “NO ONE is laughing…lol”
Only you…lol. That’s why I love ya.
LOL FG i am here every single day, i comment when necessarry i can come in every single day if ya like and say hi tho…..
AND…i was not laughing cause the letter was funny, i was laughing cause B.C. just assumed we were gonna laugh putting lil disclaimers on his comments…..lol
New Lurker to the site, Necole Bithcie put me on to it..Loves it..anyway here I go.
Dear Ty,
I have been sitting hear thinking about the year we have spent together. I know times have been trying but the commitment to our relationship has proven to be one-sided. With that being said I think it is time for me to move on, I wish you nothing but the best, like you have said in the past this relationship was never built to last because of the way it began. I get it now, so please no lumps in the throat.
Best Regards,
Mika
I don’t really think Ty was expecting that one. :-)
Welcome to the site. Hope to hear from you more often.
LOL @ Chrissy, fool…
Dear You,
You’ve been on my mind lately since every little thing reminds me of us. I just want you to know that this feels right to me and with you I am truly happy. You bring a smile to my face every day and you cherish me for who I am. And I just want to thank you for all the smiles, kisses, hugs and positive gifts we’ve shared.
Love,
Me.
not that I didn’t think it was possible…but I must say that I’m impressed Bahama. I was expecting something more along the lines of
Dear You,
This was on my mind so I wanted to share it with you. Love sucks. I’ll do my best to remind you of that point every chance I get. I hope you feel the sincerity of my words.
Love
Me
LMAO!! i’m tickled FG,and hey!! i have a soft side…i haven’t completely given up just yet.
LOL…I know you haven’t given up. That’s just what you try to make me believe ;-)
Dear You,
This was on my mind so I wanted to share it with you. Love sucks. I’ll do my best to remind you of that point every chance I get. I hope you feel the sincerity of my words.
Love
Me
^^^^^STICK A FORK IN ME CAUSE I AM DONE….BAMMY HE GOT YOU DOWN TO A “T” LMAO
LOL @ FG
and
LMAO, SHUT IT chrissy!
Dear S,
I’m still thinking about the question you asked me last night. I want you to know that you are not the only one falling head over heels in love. No matter what anyone says I believe you complement me and we belong together. This means that I will always do my best to communicate honestly with you and to compromise. You feelings matter too. So, know that I need you in my heart as much as you say I am needed in yours. This is true. Always. Love miss key.
OK, I’m back
Dear Mr. K,
I’ve been wanting to tell you this for a while, so I guess there is no time like the present. I really care about you. Probably more than I realized. So if you are still interested, I think I’m ready to take that next step. If you are, then I promise to make it worth your while. I look forward to us talking about this in person later. See you soon.
Mz. Chief
Damn FG, Where you live at again? lol. You are so right that letter writing isn’t practiced anymore. I’m just speechless. Well its glad to know that there are a few men who still write. But I know I still write…
@Chrissy Snow. I appreciate the support. We’ll see what her response is. And thanks for the feedback FG.
This is a really good exercise FG. I’m gonna ahave to make up something though, because if I write to the current man/boy in my life, it aint gonna be nice…lol
Dear Future Love of my Life,
I am sitting here at work today in my office with no windows to the outside world. The only thing I can see in the warehouse is dirt, big lights, and a glimpse of sunshine through a distant skylight. You are the skylight of my world. No matter how dark and artificial things may seem you are always there to show me how something so simple can make such a big difference in my life. If all the power went out I wouldn’t be left in darkness because I have you, my skylight, to brighten up my world. For too long I relied on flashlights and lightbulbs, things that easily break or can’t find them when you need them the most. But I know you will always be there. I love you.
Love, Ms. Miss
(I know that is corny, somehow offensive probably. Lol. But it’s real. And this is one of my favorite songs ever)
geez that could have been so much better…
Oh I forgot my letter…
Dear him downstairs,
My day is dull and boring if I don’t get to see your face. You make the rainy and gloomy days seem so sunny. I really have a high school/grown up crush on you and wish you feel the same way too. Maybe one day you will know my hidden feelings.
T
@Ms. Miss,
why would you think that was corny? Besides, it was sincere.
@kriscole83,
I had to erase my message to you because I was going to ask where you letter was. I like that though… (him downstairs…that’s pretty funny)
FG I guess I find it corny since i’m not dating anyone…
it’s not corny. That kind of stuff always has a way of turning itself around. Every one has slow periods. It’s just a matter of making the most of those quiet moments.
True. I’m still very happy with my life right now and I am very optimistic with the idea of me loving a person in this fashion. We will find each other eventually. I got that lovey dovey feeling after writing this letter strangely though.
@FG, thanks! That’s his nickname due to his office being downstairs. That’s my eyecandy for the day. We all need it.
Hmmm…
Man I would write one…but I think mine would be rather inappropiate…either “relational” or “evasive” as that’s how I feel about people these days…
Dear Him:
As I sit here staring at my computer screen and watching the clock tick slowly toward 6, my mind becomes inundated with thoughts of you. You should be home waiting for me. My career is the priority, but tonight, it would be you. I would erase the memory of all your lonely nights and vow that tonight would be the first of many. My desire to please you is only superseded about how much I care for you.
Me
reina that was beautiful!
Cole, you stupid. Only the Fly Guy can make crack heads seem romantic.
My problem is why are you still listening to that cd. That cd was tight! I’m downloading it now from itunes.
Reina, I liked your letter. Just one problem. No MAN should be waiting at home for you. I would hope he gets off work around the same time,if not after you. No MAN should get off work in time to watch Oprah. I’m sorry. You should wite a new letter asking him how he beats you home everyday.
@ Ms. Miss & Reina: Wow, I don’t think you could’ve expressed your emotions any better, it’s really heartfelt.
FG you got me speechless, I’m having a hard time coming up with a letter…
Reggie you got me DYING. Thanks Taurus. It took me a good minute to come up with something and I looked out the window and viola. lol.
Just telling it how I see it. You all need a man who works some hours…
Amazin’
I woke up this morning to thoughts of you on my mind. Throughout the years we’ve become more than friends. Contrary to what you may think; I DO want to be your official girl. You are my friend, my partner, my lover & protector.
You managed to make a 28 year old woman feel like a silly school girl. Yet I don’t care because I love you. Its only you that I want to be with. There’s no one else I’d rather share my life with than you the man I’ll always love.
BG
Adam,
Every third thought I think involves you. You are corny, sexy, brilliant, bull-headed and strong. In a life that’s sobering and abrasive, you give me reason to giggle. I wish that there were a thousand fewer miles between us, but I’m glad to know you, still. Live happy and think of me, my beautiful new friend.
Jean
Amazin’
I woke up this morning to thoughts of you on my mind. Throughout the years we’ve become more than friends. Contrary to what you may think; I DO want to be your official girl. You are my friend, my partner, my lover & protector.
You managed to make a 28 year old woman feel like a silly school girl. Yet I don’t care because I love you. Its only you that I want to be with. There’s no one else I’d rather be with than you the one I’ll always love.
BG
@ Reggie
Shush. As long as he’s working, he can get home before me. He’d just better have my dinner ready.
Sorry about the dbl post. The site was actn up on the crack berry.
I just want to say everyone did a wonderful job with thier letters and let’s now try to use it in our REAL LIFE relationships. LOL!! It is true that letters can make a huge difference in communication. I started it at a young age (17)and found it brought a great sence of understanding between two “listen to me and don’t say anything” people. LMAO
FG I think you are trying to get hella booty on your site with these posts and showing off your gift of writing what so many of us would love to hear a “MAN” say.