To My Anya,

I'm sitting down and writing this on the eve of our 10th anniversary, 1936.  You thought I had forgotten it, didn't you?  Just teasing, of course.

I can't believe it's been 10 years since I first laid eyes on you, dancing in the Catherine Palace.  If I had known then what I know now, I would have immediately swept you into my arms.  Unfortunatly, I had to go it the hard way -- as I have so often.

Despite this, through every hard path I've had to take in the last 10 years, you've been beside me, supporting me, when many others would have given up.  Your strength has so often lent itself to me, your caring arms held me in my times of trouble.  I owe you so much, Anya.

From our first meeting, filled with biting words and sarcastic remarks, till now, full of gentle love and warm hope, my life has changed so much. 

Sometimes, as I watch our two beautiful children playing together, I feel tears coming to my eyes -- not tears of sorrow, but tears of joy, because not only do they mean so much to me, but their gorgeous mother does as well. 

My attention will turn to you then, painting with your watercolors or sketching the willow in our backyard, and I can't help but just sit and look at you in all your beauty.  I feel such an overpowering feeling of happiness, I can hardly describe it.  I've been so stubborn all my life, so unwilling to let someone know my feelings, but when you came into my life, though hard at first, I found it so easy to let go and learn to love all over again.  I thank you so much for that. 

In these 10 years we've known each other, you've found out my deepest, darkest secrets, yet still loved me through it.  I've learned hope, love, compassion, and patience with you.  Well, I'm working on the patience.  :)

Despite all I've written, I feel like I can't put my true feelings for you onto paper, except, perhaps, these three special words that you told me on a cold night 10 years ago on the Seine Bridge in Paris:

I Love You.

You have, and will always own, my heart.  With all my love to you, my dearest Anya.

From Your Dimitri         
      

Written by Gina.
Posted here 
with Permission.

From the start, Anya and Dimitri constantly argue and bait each other with sarcastic remarks. They can’t even stand to sit next to each other without fighting. But actually, their "fights" are quite fulfilling---a complement for each other’s mind and talent. Nowhere before has Dimitri met anyone who could keep him in line so well. Nowhere has Anya met anyone who is a match for her engaging and fiery personality.

When Vlad pulls Dimitri aside and comments on the "unspoken attraction," Dimitri thinks it’s ridiculous. After all, why would He ever want to fall in love? Anya was the one who wanted to find her family. He had nothing in life except Vlad, and his life would stay that way.

After Dimitri saves Anya from Rasputin’s nightmare, she buries her head in his shirt for safety. She trusts him and views him as a source of strength, realizing that she doesn’t always have to be "independent and strong Anya." At first Dimitri does not know how to react, but he ends up pulling Anya close, holding her tight, and leaning his head against hers with a soft smile of comfort on his face. After almost witnessing Anya’s death, Dimitri realizes how precious she is to him.

During "Paris Holds the Key," Dimitri is desperately torn up inside by the realization that he is going to lose Anya, since "Princesses don’t marry kitchen boys." He tries not to have too much fun with her on the shopping trip, although there are times when he can’t help but smile as they walk hand in hand.

At the ballet, he is head-over-heals in admiration of how beautiful she looks. As they approach Marie’s opera box, both of them attempt to confess their love, but they can’t get past the words "I…" and "yes…?"

When they meet on the staircase after Dimitri has refused the money, they both feel miserable and look heartbroken. Dimitri is prepared to walk out of Anya’s life forever and go back to St. Petersburg, because he believes it is the best thing to do for Anya’s benefit of reclaiming her royal title. He leads her to believe that he took the money and that was all that mattered, and that her love didn’t mean anything. Anya leads him to believe that she is truly happy now that she found her grandmother. All the while, they both have a sad look in their eyes. Dimitri gives Anya an imploring look before he runs out the door, desperately wanting her to call him back and confess her love. When he leaves, Anya's usually bright eyes sink into the depths of sadness. This may be the last time she ever sees Dimitri, and is unsure of whether or not he loves her.

Meanwhile, Dimitri is thinking of Anya while standing in line at the train station. He LOVES her, and warm memories of their time together fill his mind. He chooses to come back and confess his love, unable to bare the thought of a life of loneliness and heartbreak without Anya by his side.

Anya and Dimitri will ALWAYS be TOGETHER because their love is the epitome of self-sacrifice for the benefit of the other person. Dimitri not only gives up the money, but is prepared to give up his own romantic hopes and dreams to see that happiness comes to Anya. Anya gives up her royal title in order to spend her life with her soul mate Dimitri.

After they elope, they both know in their hearts that they will never be alone again. Anya and Dimitri are finally filled with a sense of genuine happiness as they BEGIN THEIR NEW LIFE TOGETHER.