16 Magazine - September 1971 (typed by sweet Gale)

"Hands Off - He's Mine!"

Dear Miss Stavers,

I'm writing this letter to you because I desperately need your help. I want you to print my letter in 16 Magazine (but please don't print my name), so that all the so-called Bobby Sherman lovers can read it. I have something I want to say - I must say - to all the girls who are after Bobby, and that's simply, "HANDS OFF - HE'S MINE!"

I know you may think this sounds silly, and you'll probably tear up this letter before you finish reading it, but please try to understand how I feel and why I felt I had to write this. You see, I love Bobby Sherman more than anyone else in the whole world does! He is my whole life - and I'd just die if he ever got married. I can't even bear to see a picture of Bobby with another girl. It breaks my heart to even think about it! A lot of other girls may say they love Bobby, but in my heart I know they don't mean it the way I do. He's just another boy to them - and there's no other guy for me! If I can't have Bobby, then I don't want ever want to get married. I'd rather live my life alone! And if I can't be Bobby's girl, then I don't want any other girl to have him, either. I realize I have no right to feel this way, but I can't help it! What should I do?

Eternal Bobby Lover
(no address given)

The above letter was addressed to me - Gloria Stavers - and to all of you 16-ers. However, when it came time for an answer, I turned it over to the one person I thought could best answer it - Bobby Sherman! After carefully reading this heartfelt letter, Bobby went off alone for some time. When he returned he had written the following reply:

My Dear One,

As I read your letter, I felt both happy and sad. I was truly thrilled that you care so deeply for me. After all, the nicest compliment in the world - and the most beautiful gift - is to be loved. Please believe me when I say I understand how you feel and what you are going through, because caring for someone isn't always easy - it can be very often be painful, too! How I long to erase all the heartache and sadness you feel. I'm sorry - truly sorry - that you are unhappy because of me. I don't want you to be unhappy for any reason, and I hope that - through the words of this letter - all your sadness will soon be driven away forever.

Try to really understand what I'm saying to you. I wish I could promise you that I'll never get married, but that would be a wrong thing for me to do, and - deep down inside - I don't really think you want to hear that. On the other hand, I'm not saying I will get married - only that I hope to someday. I believe love and marriage are necessary for complete happiness. I know they are for me - and I'm telling you this because I feel you too should leave yourself open for all the love your life can hold. Don't close your heart and let love pass you by. That would be a terrible mistake!

You need love - everyone does - but there's more to love than giving. Receiving love is equally important, and I'd like to know that you won't turn away from love when it comes your way. I'm sure there are boys you could like - if you gave them a chance! I think it's important for you (and everyone ) to date many different people - before deciding there's only one person in the whole world for you. By avoiding other boys, you could be letting some beautiful friendships slip by you - not to mention a really wonderful love that could develop. I only ask that you give yourself the opportunity to be happy.

I myself date many girls and maybe one day we'll meet and I'll date you! In this world, anything is possible. However, one thing I tell all the girls in my life is that I'm not ready to settle down just yet. No one can ever say, "Hands off-he's mine!" when they are referring to me, because that's a big step and I just can't take it right now! I want you to carefully read and understand all of this and not be hurt by it or think I don't care.

Another thing I feel is important to tell you is how wrong it is for you to make me (or anyone) your whole life. You're limiting yourself! Always remember that you are a very special person and that to be totally fulfilled as a human being you must learn to be independent. You can love someone and still have interest and talents that are yours alone. In fact, you should. Never underestimate yourself!

From your letter, I can see that you are truly a beautiful person. I don't say this because you said such nice things about me, but because you are honest and sincere. Don't let anything or anyone else change you. Thank you for caring. I'm glad you do. Just don't let your love for me stop you from caring about yourself too!

Love always,
Bobby