on this day.

to the boy who continues to take my breath away.

xliv. TO THE BOY WHO CONTINUES TO TAKE MY BREATH AWAY.

he is candle lit dinners full of soft record player music and everything you have ever wanted to taste even if it burned the roof of your mouth. the explosion of mint gum with only the first bite, the sharing of candy cane striped straws in the classic glass of a chocolate milkshake even though you both argued over the flavor choice in the cherry colored booths, but he laughed the moment you scrunch your face up in annoyance. strawberries dipped in chocolate, the fresh smell of sugar cookies on the morning of christmas eve. his voice, it melts your heart yet sends your soul to sleep for how gently it cradles all the open wounds from past lovers and family members. he is pouring moonlight that streams across your face, thought out polaroids that tacks hold up in your wall but you never truly look at until time has ran cold. the first day of spring, the last snowfall, the fireworks that brighten up the world for just a second as a crowd of strangers cheer for the freedom they have in their feet. he is savory, vivacious, strong hearted and sculpted with mistakes that mean nothing less than perfection in the eyes that stare back at him. his smile, it shines on days that bring rain, the warmth of his peppered kisses running to the tip of your toes even with the threat of thunder roaring outside your window. tears that slide down rose tinted cheeks yet not out of sadness, but for once, happiness. unexpected forehead kisses and i love you's that catch you off guard, ones where you ask for it again because you missed it even though you heard him clearer than the birds that hum outside your window every morning. late night phone calls, star infected nights, air fluttering through the spaces of fingers as cars pass by and the comfort of his hand rests on your thigh. he is art museums, the one he took you to on your fourth date when you mentioned how much you loved them yet you spent more time admiring him than you did the art. round glasses resting on the tip of noses, plaid patterned scarves that stay folded in the top drawer until autumn has arrived. fresh sheets against bare skin, the glory within freshly bloomed gardens.

he is the infectious happiness that lingers on the pull of my lips, the light that never seems to die out in the eyes he once said reminded him of where the ocean and land meet.

he is the collateral beauty of it all ;
holding the world in the lines of his palms without even realizing it.

he is the boy i love.