Dear Library,
I still remember the very first time I saw you. It was a bright sunny day, a friend of mine introduced us. She thought you were really cool and that we would be good together. I have to admit she was right on both counts.
To be fair though, we didn’t get off to a great start. Although you gave me lots of signs about how to get to know you better, I still got lost looking for something. Sure, it was confusing at first but which relationship isn’t! You can’t dance with a new partner without getting to know how they move, can you?
Now I feel a lot more connected to you. We have spent so many hours together. I am almost always amazed by how many things you know. I asked you if you knew about Estonian Poetry, and you said, “Muidugi (Of course), Tejas!” I asked you if you had something about Quantum Computing, and you said, “Yes with probability=1!” I sometimes think that even if I spend all my life with you, I wouldn’t be able to know you fully. But that’s true for all relationships, isn’t it? Do people ever get to know their partners inside out? I guess not.
The more time I spend with you, the more I am surprised by all the things we have in common. Just a few days ago I discovered that you have a great taste in music! After studying hard and trying to wrap my head around functional programming, you took me in and drowned me in your music. Now again to be fair I don’t know if I will ever be able to appreciate operas and classical music like you do, but I sure as hell will give them a shot.
For some reason, a lot of people these days are falling for your big brother, Google. To be honest, I have flirted with him as well. But I want you to know that it was a one-time thing. I was feeling very vulnerable because I was under pressure and hadn’t completed my Algorithmics homework. He introduced me to your cousin, Stack Overflow, and she helped me out with some of my code. I am honestly amazed by how many people don’t see your brother for what he truly is. He stalks us, wants to know every single thing about us, and will sell us off to the highest bidder at the very first opportunity he gets. You, on the other hand, are an angel, you don’t care about my history, or which cookies I like. You’re just there for me.
Sometimes I catch myself feeling a little jealous because so many people love you, and come the exam season, many will come and have a fling with you. I know you will stay up all night with them. I know that you enjoy it. I know that you are capable of being there for everyone who needs you. Knowing all this, part of me wants to keep you all to myself, but I know that’s not possible. As a wise man once sang “You only know you love her when you let her go!” Here is me letting you go, and saying from the bottom of my heart, I love you TÜ Raamatukogu.
Yours truly,
Tejas
Side note: The Estonian language is very gender-neutral, and hence the letter moves between genders fluidly. The author would like to point out that this is a work of fiction, but his love for the library is very real. The author would also like to thank Emma Prins for introducing him to the library.
