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Jef Holm has finally graduated past the puppet stage and is now sharing his feelings in letters. Hopefully, by The Bachelorette Season 8 finale, he will be able to look into Emily Maynard’s brown eyes and say the words without props. We’ll get there. (Right?)

In the meantime, melt into a delicate puddle while reliving Jef’s sweet words to Emily, as shared toward the end of their hometown date:

Jef: “You and I have one of those relationships that just comes easily. From the first time I met you, there was a unique connection that the only words I can use to describe it is 'meant to be.' As we've spent the last little while traveling all over the world together, I've gotten to know so much about you. I've realized I'm completely in love with everything about you. I love the way you smile. I love the way you grab my hand and hold it. I love how good of a person you are. I love how passionate you are about helping others. I love how good of a mom you are. I love that you want a cute little family, hopefully with me. I love how you chase your dreams and I love how you want to make the world a better place. I love how funny you are and how funny we are together. I love how you fit in my arms. I love the thought of going to sleep next to you and waking up to those big brown eyes every morning. I'm so excited to meet Ricki. I'll teach her how to play sports and I'll cheer her up when she's sad and laugh with her when she's funny. And I'll be there for her. I want to show her how to fall in love and have a love story that lasts forever, because I'll love you forever. Most of all I'm completely and hopelessly in love with you."

Emily: “That was honestly the sweetest thing anybody has ever, ever said to me.”

Sniff. Yeah. It was. Do you think Ryan Bowers is kicking himself, since his (many!) notes to Emily were never so sweet? Do you think Ben Flajnik and Courtney Robertson feel cheated, since the whole this-is-what-I-love-about-you thing was something they did on her hometown date on The Bachelor Season 16?

Is Jef the cutest thing ever or the sweetest thing ever? Should Emily have shared something back for Jef or should she play all of her cards on the finale (or the live “After the Final Rose” special)?