Short Stories

I Love You

Love is a word I never thought I'd use. Yet—here I am—saying "I love you." and watching your eyes light up like the stars in the sky. How beautiful. I love how you laugh. I love how you listen to me when I'm talking about the most random things. I love holding you and being held by you. I love your faith. I love how you have the heart of a child. I love the color of your eyes. I love your hair. Your smile brings life into any room. The way you look at me makes my heart leap in my chest. This feeling is nothing like I've ever felt in my entire life. I feel happy...I feel whole. How in the world did I get so lucky to have someone like you? Someone who dances with me, sings with me, holds on to me, worries about my well-being—someone who...

"I love you, too." Someone who loves me. Your voice is my favorite sound. Your heartbeat is my favorite sound. Like my favorite song stuck in my head, you are there. Your face, your voice, your kindness, your silliness, your dreams, your pain—it's all there.

You are teaching me what love truly means. Love is patience in a really difficult conversation. Love is being kind to the very person you hate. Love is peace when your world is falling to pieces. Love is hope when everything feels hopeless. Love is being filled with laughter and joy. Love is being together when you feel broken and holding on. Love is compromising to better yourself and your partner. Love is leading those around you to a bright future. Love is selfless. Love is giving without expecting anything in return. Love is trust.

You have also taught me what love isn't. Love is not jealousy. It is not selfishness or greed. It is not putting yourself above others. It is not manipulation to get what you want. It is not mistreating others or getting mistreated by others. Love is not annoyance or impatience. I would have never known all these things if I hadn't met you.

I still remember so clearly when we first met. You showed me a kind of kindness I had never seen before. You taught me how to appreciate the little things in life. You pursued me when I wasn't even pursuing myself. I was lost—but you found me. I was so tired—tired of fighting, trying, and just tired of this life—but you pushed me to keep moving forward. You held me when I couldn't hold myself. You helped me see that I can trust you. That I can just trust again. You bring me so much happiness in this difficult life.

I want to thank you for it all.

I want to tell you how excited I am for our future.

I want you to know how much I care for you.

I want you to realize what you have saved me from.

I want to always fight for us.

I want us to last.

I want to share my life with you.

And...

...I want you to know that I love you.