Vivian read Sam's first email several times trying to make sense of it. She surmised that this email was a clue to decipher the email, that only consisted numbers without any apparent pattern or break for that matter. The email made mention of all the states listed in four different numerical orders. So Vivian made up four tables listing the states by their two letter postal abbreviations. She paid attention to the fact that mention was made that the states were listed in alphabetical order but identified by their two letter postal abbreviation.
She appreciated that the email was stipulated in such fashion to clarify potential confusion. For example, the first two states are a case in point. Alabama is alphabetically ahead of Alaska, but Alabama's abbreviation is AL whereas Alaska is AK suggesting that perhaps the latter state should be listed first. Similarly, Arizona is alphabetically ahead of Arkansas, but the abbreviations are AZ and AR respectively. Since the email clearly stipulated that the states are listed in actual full alphabetical order Vivian made her lists accordingly. She knew she could change that if her decision did not pan out.
Vivian also noted the substitutions of some of states. Alaska is the largest state in area whereas Quebec, abbreviated as "PQ" is the largest province in area of Canada. With such disparity both alphabetically and abbreviation of those two jurisdictions, it reinforced her decision that the states are listed in full alphabetical order since presumably Quebec as PQ is to fill in Alaska's spot. The other substitutions were: Ontario (ON) was the most populous province in Canada to replace California (CA) the most populous state; the capital presumably Washington (DC) to replace Rhode Island, the smallest state; Puerto Rico (PR) the Hispanic territory to replace Delaware (DE); and finally, EESTI in full to replace New York, the empire state.
In Vivian's mind there was no doubt the last referenced substitution was for her benefit. She of course had given full explanations of her tattoos on her thighs and the significance of the same to Sam. In addition, she also revealed the reasons for wearing two body chain belts as well as her four ankle bracelets. Luckily as far as Vivian could tell, Sam did not react negatively to her past. As he was wont to say he preferred to have a woman who truly enjoys sex whole heartedly without any reservations. In his experience, seducing a reluctant female did not provide much reward beyond the inherent physical pleasure of sexual intercourse. Rarely does a reluctant woman express genuine joy at having overcome her initial apprehension. Vivian obviously did not fall into that category.
In any case, having compiled the four lists of states, Vivian could not see any connection to the random list of numbers in Sam's email. And as for the last sentence: "Begin with 'A' is for Alabama" was just totally unfathomable. So, she decided to try a different tact. The email presumably providing clues started with the salutation: "Dearest Vivian". Surely, if the numbered email was to be converted into a letter form, then "Dearest Vivian" would most likely be the same salutation as well.
Vivian then felt she was on to something. The first numbers were "0405011805192030". She noticed that if you consider only and exactly two digits at a time you get an alphabetical order: '04' fourth letter of the alphabet is 'd', '05' is 'e', and by golly as you continue two digits at a time, you do get 'dearest' followed by a space. Alas the next numbers are "2323090136" which suggests 'w', 'w', 'i', 'a' and then the number 36 which has no corresponding letter in the alphabet. Not close at all to 'Vivian' as to be expected.
After a few minutes of deliberation, the idea light shines in Vivian's mind. The four lists of states, that she had painstakingly colligated were labeled 'WW', 'XX', 'YY' and 'ZZ'. So, the letters 'ww' must represent the first list of states and 'ia' is the abbreviation for Iowa. Iowa is in 15th place on that list. This suggests the alphabet order changes with the letter 'a' now in the 15th, and thus, the letter 'b' would now be in the 16th position, and so on. In the new order then, in the 36th position would be the letter 'v'. The following numbers "233623152844" then correspond to 'i', 'v', 'i', 'a', 'n' and of course '44' represents a space.
Eureka! Vivian now believed she had cracked the code. The only wrinkle was to recognize that each of the four lists were self contained. Thus, for example if one's using the 'XX' list where you have the state of Washington as your starting point then the first five letters, 'a', 'b', 'c', 'd' and 'e' would bear the numbers: '97, '98', 99, '00' and '01' respectively. And she also could discern the meaning of the last sentence of the instruction email was to advise the letter starts with the 'WW' list with 'a' for Alabama, being the state in number 1 position.
Having successfully deciphered the meaning of Sam's numbers only missive, Vivian set out to translate the same. It was a tedious process, since Sam was continuously changing lists, presumably to make it harder for an unknown party to interfere. In any case Vivian persevered and discovered that the letter read as follows:
"Dearest Vivian
I can resist your beauty, but your engaging personality has captured my heart. I'm enraptured by your witty sharp mind. We are bonded soulmates as evidenced by your ability to read this letter as if I needed any proof. You must be my wife.
Yes this letter is my proposal. Will you consent to be my wife? Please reply by email in this special format that will only have meaning between us. If your reply is affirmative, we can work out the logistics of our wedding in a more orthodox fashion. I await your answer. Don't delay in replying my sweetest Vivian. I can't keep my heart still until I hear from you.
Faithfully yours,
Sam. XOXOXO"
Vivian harrumphed in her mind. Considering this unusual method of proposing, she thought two can play that same game. She would also use this unusual method to impart some news that she would have normally conveyed in a more orthodox fashion. Accordingly, her replay was worded as:
"Dearest Sam
Of course, I'll marry you. Is there any doubt? But we must marry within six months if we wish our child to be born legitimate. That's all she wrote.