The writer expresses their inability to celebrate their loved one's birthday together due to being separated by an ocean. They acknowledge they cannot bake a cake, throw a party, go to the theater, or take the person shopping. While they want to explore cities and beaches together, direct each day, and gift the moon and stars, the limitations of life and distance prevent it. However, the writer expresses their love as the one thing that can transcend the separation.

1. February 25th, 2007

2. From across an ocean, there is little I can do to celebrate this day with you.

3. I can’t bake you a cake.

4. I thought about writing you a poem and I think I still will, but it is not an original idea.

5. I can’t throw a party for you.

6. I can’t take you to the theatre.

7. I can’t smother you with rose petals and heart-shaped confetti.

8. You know me. I certainly can’t be artistic and draw you something - not in any medium, even crayon.

9. I can’t buy you champagne.

10. I can’t take you shopping to choose a birthday gift.

11. I can’t take you to Paris, Prague, or any of the other cities I want to explore with you…

12. … and I can’t go and lounge on a warm beach in some exotic location with you.

13. I can’t even make lists of plans for our still uncharted future.

14. I can’t arrange fireworks, although sparks still fly between us.

15. Life is not a movie. I cannot sit here and direct each day to play out the way that we want it to.

16. I cannot harness the moon and stars and gift-wrap them for you. If I could, I would.

17. Right now, I can’t fly around the world for even a moment with you.

18. But on your birthday (and may it be the happiest ever) I can transcend this sky-filled ocean between us, in one heartbeat of time…

19. … simply, perfectly, with this…

20. I love you.