Dear Princess Celestia,

Twilight pauses after finishing the comma. It hasn't been that long since she last sent a letter to her mentor. She feels a small pang of guilt anyway, mostly out of habit.

Usually I send you updates on my findings about the magic of friendship. But this time I feel I need to tell you what I've learned concerning a different kind of relationship. It's love, of course. As you know, I've been researching its complexities. I'm not sure if I'll ever understand it completely. Perhaps this is the first of a series. We'll see.

"Hey! Twilight, come on!"

Spike's voice interrupts her. Her assistant comes up the steps of her room, carrying a basket.

"What is it, Spike?" she says.

"The picnic! We're gonna be late."

"Oh, shoot. Right." Twilight looks down at the paper. "I really have to finish this. I'll be right down."

"Aww... come ooooooonnnnnn..."

"Okay, okay. I'll write it on the way. I'll be down in one second."

Spike puts his hand on his hips, tapping a foot.

"I mean it, Spike. I'll be right behind you," she says. He smiles and rolls his eyes, making his way back downstairs. She watches him go, unable to contain the warm, glowing smile on her lips.

You once told me that love is complex. I have to overwhelmingly agree. There are many kinds of love, and they all have their own special character.

The first kind of love is between family. For example, the love I have for my parents. Or for Spike. It's a very common form of love, but that doesn't make it any less special. Family is always there for you, no matter what. You support each other, and share a connection your whole lives. No matter where you are, there will always be a home for you with family.

I love Spike. Ever since he hatched, he's been my little dragon brother. Even if he acts like a kid sometimes. He is a kid – he can do that. More importantly, he's family, and I love him.

She makes her way downstairs, hovering the letter along with her. Spike is waiting, but he's only been waiting for moments. Just like she promised.

"Are you ready?" he says.

"Naturally. You ready?"

"Got everything right here." He hoists the basket, a pile of food covered under a checkered blanket.

They nod at each other and step outside, into a glorious early summer day. The sun is shining, not a cloud in the sky. Twilight squints and moves her quill, hiding her nose behind her letter as she walks. She knows Spike will tell her if she's about to bump into something.

You don't have to be related to somepony to love them like family. Obviously that's true, if me and Spike are any indication. But there are others, too. Anyone that's important to you, really. Which is why I have to say this – it's a little difficult, maybe, but I need to say it. I can't figure out why I've never said it in the past.

I love you, Princess Celestia.

I've always looked up to you. You've been there for me, ever since we met and you took me on as your student. You've had such a huge impact on my life, and I wouldn't at all be who I am without you. You are my mentor, my guide, and my Princess.

I've long hoped that you felt the same. More and more, I suspect that I'm right. Whether you do or not, I'll always love you. You are as good as family to me.

Twilight sniffs loudly, blinking back rising water in her eyes.

"You okay?" Spike asks, dragging his basket along.

"Yes, Spike. I'm very okay."

He nods along, not perturbed at all. They walk. Ponyville is bustling, a normal, happy day. Even on its busiest day, life is calm. Slow. Relaxed.

"Hey! It's Twilight!"

Rainbow Dash picks them out of the crowd easily, skimming over heads to meet them. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy follow in her wake.

"Those three... what are they, attached at the hip?" Spike shakes his head. Twilight giggles quietly.

"You guys headed to the park?" Rainbow Dash hovers above them. "Hey, whatcha got there?"

"She's writing a letter," Spike says.

"Aww, come on, Twi." Dash gives her a sour look.

"I know, I know. I really need to finish this. Almost done."

The three join them, and they walk on.

Having said all that... I suppose I'll keep going. We're still pretending I'm on assignment, right? There are other forms of love, after all.

Like friendship. It seems that friendship isn't usually thought of as love, but I would disagree. Friends are the family that you find. They are the ponies you find that you connect with. Maybe that connection exists before you meet them. Maybe you make the connection yourselves. I'm not sure, honestly. But the connection exists.

It's more like a journey, really. You meet others, get to know them, and the connection strengthens and grows over time. As you share things. Until one day you realize that they may as well be family, too.

I love my friends, all of them. My true friends, the ones that I'll always have. If that's not a form of love, then what is?

"AJ!" Rainbow Dash yells.

"Rarity!" Fluttershy says.

"Didn't expect to see you two together," Twilight says.

Applejack and Rarity trot up to the group, side by side. Like old friends.

"Well, we was walkin' the same way. It's not like we're strangers or somethin'," Applejack says.

"Please, we've known each other for years. The jokes about us are getting quite old," Rarity says with a flounce of her mane. "Besides, how could anypony really resist Applejack's rustic charm?"

"Rustic what now?" Applejack looks confused and uncomfortable.

"Ha! She's saying you're hot, cowgirl." Dash points with a damning hoof. Applejack grimaces, while Rarity glares at the blue pegasus.

"Calm down, just joking." Dash lands next to Rarity. "How you been, fashionista?"

"Just fine, Dash. Good to see you." Rarity's glare fades.

Twilight watches this display, feeling deeply satisfied. Applejack catches her eye.

"Hey there, Twi," Applejack says, warm and welcoming. The first friend Twilight made in Ponyville.

"Hey," Twilight says back.

A moment passes between them, Applejack just smiling at her. Then time moves again.

"Well, let's get a move on. Ah don't get too many days off, let's make the most of this," Applejack says.

They walk on, all together again.

Friendship – and love – are strong. They can bring together two ponies who don't seem like they have much in common. They can heal wounds between two ponies who have disagreements.

I'll always love my friends, even if I don't love every single thing about them. Sometimes when Pinkie is being more crazy than usual, or Rarity is going off on one of her dramatic fits, I wonder how I ended up loving them so much. Love is funny, like that.

Which brings me to a bit of a side note.

Your sister.

You were right, before. I was angry at her. I think I might have even hated her, however briefly. It was an ugly thing to feel.

You also said that she can be inscrutable. That's definitely true. I think I might understand now, why she did what she did. I don't know for sure. But I'm not mad at her anymore. How could I stay mad at anyone? I'm so happy now.

Love can have a dark side. You can drive yourself crazy, or do things that you regret, all in the name of love. Love can be twisted into other things. It's strange, that a thing can be so strong and so delicate at the same time. But there are many kinds of love.

Luna taught me many things. I'm not sure I agree with her methods, but she did. Maybe one day she and I can talk about all of this as friends. I don't know if I'm strong enough to be quite that forgiving. But I can try.

Twilight lets out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. They've reached the park, her friends talking and laughing all around her.

The weather is perfect, the park more crowded than usual. They make their way through paths and trees and beautiful, grassy open areas.

They pass all kinds of ponies. More and more, Twilight knows names and faces. They wave and greet and smile as they walk past. One small group in particular stands out to Twilight – a few mares wave as she walks by, drawing her gaze from her letter. It's Bon-Bon, and her girlfriend Lyra, and that pink mare with the unicorn foal – Berry Punch, Twilight remembers.

She waves back. She's hung out with them a few times, recently. She's just getting to know them, but they seem nice.

Where was I? Right, friendship. Friendship and love.

They aren't the same, but they're similar. They're both connections. They both make us strong, and happy. They both bring meaning and joy to our lives.

They have a way of growing on their own. My friends have their own friends, who have their own friends. Little by little, I meet them and get to know them. The connections just keep growing and growing. There's always a friendly face, wherever I go.

And then, of course, there's romantic love. Capital "L" love, the one everyone is always talking about.

Where to even begin...

They reach a cool, shady clearing with a gazebo resting under swaying leaves.

The most beautiful mare in the world is waiting for them. She's sitting in the grass, reading. She looks up as Twilight gets nearer.

"Hi." Cheerilee smiles.

"Hey." Twilight smiles back.

"I see you brought the whole crew." Cheerilee peers past Twilight. Twilight's friends wave and greet her.

"Well, you know they're always bugging me to bring you along. They like you."

Cheerilee looks very amused. She closes her book and stands up.

"Hey Cheerilee!" Pinkie bounces up to them, overjoyed as always.

"Hey!" Spike drops the basket down nearby. "Nice spot."

"You guys are lucky I've been saving it. The park is popular today," Cheerilee says.

"Right here!" Rainbow Dash poses triumphantly. "Weather pony. Right here. All me."

"Yeah, we know. Thank ya, Rainbow Dash," Applejack says, lacing every word with sarcasm.

Twilight rolls her eyes at those two. Cheerilee and Fluttershy help Spike with putting the picnic blanket out. Rarity levitates Spike's lunch out of the basket, while Applejack and Pinkie Pie lay out their own contributions of food.

Romantic love is... well, it's interesting.

It's not destiny. It's not perfect. It's not aching or pining or butterflies.

And it's not something that you can only find with one special, perfect pony. Anyone can have it, I think.

It is special, though. I think it's just making a connection – like with friends.

You find someone, and you connect with them. You spend time with them. You share with them, things about your life and about theirs. Over time, that connection becomes special.

They become your companion, almost a part of you. You know everything about each other, good and bad. You take it all – the good and the bad. You love them, and they love you. A complete whole.

And then... I guess most lovers start a family, and the whole thing starts all over again. I wonder sometimes if Cheerilee and I will do that. I'm not even sure how we would, honestly. We'll just have to wait and see.

She sits with Cheerilee. Her friends are all around them, talking and eating. Rainbow Dash and Applejack get restless soon enough and get up, kicking a soccer ball back and forth across the clearing.

Spike is on her right, munching happily on an apple. Cheerilee is on her left, talking with Fluttershy. Everything is perfect.

I don't know about this "true love" stuff ponies are always talking about. Soul mates, or eternal perfect love, or any of that.

She's staring at Cheerilee, without even realizing it. Cheerilee notices. Their eyes meet, for just a second. She rests her head against Twilight's neck, smiling.

I don't think it really matters.

Your Loving Student,
Twilight Sparkle