Is my tense off? How can I fix this problem?

Question

I have the biggest crush on a girl who works at this cafe... So I plan to send a Valentine's Day card but am unsure of my english. Could you help? I am having an awful time with the tenses. Your comment on any other problems would be much appreciated.

I got to see you often at the café, which has become my favorite place for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the tasty lemonade. However, I need to put a temporary stop to this joyful routine as I have to head home to my country. More importantly, though, I don't think I will have the courage to face you after what I am about to do. This week, I went out and bought a box of Valentine's Day chocolate, which you are probably holding in your hands right now. Rather than completely embarrass myself in person, I thought it would be best to write this V-Day card. I sincerely hope we can, at the very least, be on a first name basis and even laugh about it over a grande lemonade after my return. Until then!

Jeannie1 · Accepted Answer

AnonymousI got to see you often at the café, which has become my favorite place for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the
I often see you at the cafe (with the accent on the e), that has....
tasty lemonade. However, I need to put a temporary stop to this joyful routine as I have to head home to my country. More importantly, though, I don't think I will have the courage to face you after what I am about to do. This week, I went out and bought a box of Valentine's Day chocolate, which you are
(plural) chocolates, that you ...
probably holding in your hands right now. Rather than completely embarrass myself in person, I thought it would be best to write this V-Day card. I sincerely hope we can, at the very least, be on a first name basis and even laugh about it over a grande lemonade after my return. Until then!

I think only what I have corrected in colour under your quote is it. But I am wondering about the chocolates, did you already send them to her? If so, perhaps it would be better to write "This week, I sent you a box of Valentine's....." instead of the buying bit above.

BarbaraPA · Answer

Keep "which" and don't change it to "that." Also, spell out "Valentine's Day" or just say "this card." Use "first-name basis" with they hyphen. Is "grande" a size there, or a special name for the lemonade?

I hope you get to enjoy her company again soon!

Anonymous · Answer

Thanks for your quick reply. I am planning to drop it off on Thur right before I am to fly out of JFK. So it's a future event.

Is my tense ok??? I am always wondering whether I am using proper tenses... as in this case. Future event. Present tense... confusing the heck out me...

Anonymous · Answer

thanks. Grande is the size... just like at Starbucks.

I am always worrying about the tense... Her receiving my card and chocolates is a future event so anything that happens prior would require the past tense? I don't know. What is the best way to figure this out once and for all???

BarbaraPA · Answer

Your tenses seem just fine to me!

Travel home safely, and I hope she saves some of her chocolates to share with you.

Is my tense off? How can I fix this problem?

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