Love.

As time goes on, it’s easy to forget all our moments
How we became each other’s lifetime BFFs — 
The way we made each other laugh
And gave each other ample room to grow,

It wasn’t always easy, but you made it not that hard.
Because you gave me something I never knew
Unconditional love for being the broken girl that I am
And patience though all life’s great spills,

How we laughed at all the inappropriate jokes
And how my heart jumped every time you smiled (and still does)
That solo dimple of forged innocence lighting up your face — 
Your kind, calm green eyes staring back at my wild fire,

We didn’t have to go to fancy parties or lavish dinners
To have a remarkably good time on our own
A slumber party for two, every night, hiding in our room,
Just two overgrown kids growing up still too fast together,

Our almost annual anniversary trips to Point Reyes 
exploring its furthest tips jutting out where ocean meets the Bay
Wandering together, through meadows of flowers and streams
Through fog and sunshine and to secret beaches and a thousand sunsets,

As we move on to this next chapter in our lives, 12 years in to first saying hello
Let us never forget all of the love we have for each other
Let us not forget — through the coming endless nights of little sleep — 
That our love survived a decade in battle with a woman terrified to be loved,
from a man who had (and has) so much love to give. 
And, now, together, we will learn how to love anew.