"You seem restless," you whisper in the middle of the night over my shoulder, as I half-gaze at the urban lights outside our bedroom window. Or maybe it's only 11:30. I can't tell. "Are you okay?"
"Um. Not really. I feel sad. Will you just hold me for a little bit?"
"Sure," you mumble groggily, enveloping my anxious body. You don't take this as in invitation for something more, and you don't push me to share. You just alleviate my need for human touch.
This is love.
*
"Will you text me when you get to physical therapy and then again when you get to work? It just helps me to relax, so I can work without distraction."
"Let me know when you hit the road so I don't worry."
"You safe?"
Countless varieties of these texts each week… This is love.
*
"Are you having a salad for dinner? Do you want me to chop your veggies?"
This is love.
*
"I don't care what we watch. I just wanna relax with you."
This is love.
*
"Are we pretty open tonight? I might meet Ben for a beer if that's okay with you."
This is consideration, which translates into love.
*
"I'm sorry I missed your text. Be safe. I'll see you soon."
This is love.
*
"I hear you, I do. But for now, let’s just put one foot in front of the other. One day at a time, kiddo."
This is love.
*
"I'm sorry I hurt your feelings. I would never do that on purpose. Sometimes I can be a big, dumb animal."
This is love. It also made me laugh at an optimal time.
*
"I'll go grab your packages in the leasing office."
This is love. Apartment dwellers know.
*
Also…
carrying my fuchsia camping chair into Bantam football games and unfolding it for me, only to pack it back up afterward… This is love
going to the grocery store for us every single week to save my hips and back… This is love
watching every episode of Dawson's Creek with me, because I missed that boat in high school (pun intended), and I was curious as to what the hype was all about… This is love
settling for Starbucks coffee (a few notches too strong), because I prefer their tea to Dunkin’ Donuts or McDonalds… This is love
coming at me with a dirty joke when I need to lighten up… This is love
making the bed, because you know how peaceful it makes me feel when I walk into our little living space… This is love
*
The way you serve me makes me want to serve you better. This partnership is not perfect, but it feels a lot like what I daydreamed about in algebra class.
Thank you for loving me so well. Happy 3rd Anniversary!
wedding photos: Angel Canary
