I Want You To Know

Devi's face filled the screen. She was beaming so brightly, it'd be nearly impossible not to smile along with her.
"So this situation we've got going," she started. "It's really got me thinking. If you're watching this, that means that you are one of the most special people to me. You are one of the most important people in my world and you are one of the ones I love the most. I'd hope you know anyway, you should do, but just in case. There's that little reminder." She took a breath, then started to laugh. "Ok. I just realised that this sounds like one of those videos people record when they know they're dying for their loved ones to watch once they're gone." She waved her hands frantically across the screen. "Let me tell you, nothing like that is happening here. I'm not dying. I'm not going anywhere. Quite literally. None of us are going anywhere right now." Another small chuckle escaped her lips.

"But this situation has kind of reminded me of my own mortality and there's some things that I want you to to know." Devi exhaled and wriggled to a more comfortable position in her chair. "Again, I hope none of this will be news to any of you, but just in case you need that reminder, here it comes. Because this is the thing that I've been thinking about. Why is it that we're so scared to express ourselves while we're all together in this life? Why do we tell the people we love everything about our love when they're no longer around to hear it? I'll give you a sec to think on that."

Devi imagined people laughing when they got to this part of the video and watched her roll up her sleeves.
Ooh, she means business now, she imagined at least one of them saying.
"So, here's what I want you to know," she said, taking a breath before she continued. "First, I want you to know that I love you with everything that I am." She cringed at the thought that entered her mind, but she went with it anyway. The only ones who would see this were people that knew her inside and out already. "It's cheesy, but it's kinda... no. It's exactly like that John Legend song. You know the one? All of me..." she started to sing, then trailed off again, leaving space for her viewer to finish the lyric. "Anyway, that. I love you. To borrow from Mr. Rogers, I love you exactly as you are, and I love you because you're you. There will be different reasons for everyone watching this video. That little envelope you got with this? That's what that is. It's the why. Why I love you." She lifted one finger, holding it up so the camera could see. "Anyway, that's number one." She lowered her finger.

"Second," The screen cut to a snippet of the opening from Friends, right around where the male leads' names started coming up.
"Couldn't have said it better myself." Devi folded her arms across her chest, satisfied. "Slight side note; if you haven't heard this song, do me a favour and go take a listen. To the full version. Cause it's awesome, and catchy, and did I say awesome already?" She waved a hand in the air. "Anyway, the second thing I want you to know is I'll be there for you. Always. All you have to do is call me and I'll be there. It doesn't matter what it is. Think I can't handle it? Try me. Cause I'll bet you that I can. Whatever the weather. I'll be there. Cause I know when I've needed it, whenever I need it, you've been there for me." She lifted two fingers. "That's number two."

Devi lowered her fingers. "Now, before I get to the third thing I want you to know, there's something I want you to do for me." She grinned. "What I want you to do for me is to remember those first two things. Remember that I love you, remember that I love you exactly as you are, just because you're you. That's enough. I love you. And remember that I'll be there for you. Always. No matter what it is, whatever the weather. All you have to do is call me. I'll be there."

The video momentarily cut to a black screen. Just long enough for whoever was watching to be fooled into thinking that it might have malfunctioned. Then, Devi's face reappeared and her grin widened. "And finally, third. Now, I want you to really listen to this one, cause it's the most important of all of them." Devi took a breath. Then, "The third and final thing I want you to know is how grateful I am to have you in my life. My life is made infinitely better and brighter because you're in it. Again, there's different reasons for everyone, so take another look at that envelopes. But you've all  shared in my down times and helped me celebrate the good times too. So I'm grateful for you." She lifted her fingers in the air a third time. "That's number three."

Lowering her fingers, Devi let out a breath. "Having said all of that, just as an added bonus, I also want you to know that I can't wait to keep going through life with you part of it. I can't wait to share with you and celebrate with you. I can't wait for everything that's going to come. You know what? You want to know something else?" Devi paused, reaching for something just outside the camera's view. "Our future's gonna be so bright." Devi slid a pair of sunglasses over her eyes. "I've gotta wear shades."