Twenty Six | Personal
If there were ever another human who knew her intimately–way deep down in her heart, he was it. It could be argued that he understands her more than she understands herself. Sometimes she wonders how a man like him would fall for her. Would choose her. Would commit his life to loving and living and knowing and growing alongside her and with her. How four years-though short to some-seems like a beautiful lifetime side by side. How memories are hard to come by without him in them.
They are bewitching to replay. Like the time she chopped vegetables in the kitchen for their soup–and from behind her he took her, spun her slowly around and began to dance. Or the time they raked leaves side by side in crisp Fall air thinking she wouldn’t change any part of this instant. Or the time they got dressed up for a Valentine’s dinner he surprised her with. Like the time the snow fell in white loads outside their first apartment while they sat close on the hand me down couch wrapped in a blanket watching a movie. Or the time they dreamt and searched and shared about their first home….then moved in.
He leads her with confidence and cares for her with gentleness. He upholds her when things get rough and walks alongside her when she needs a hand to hold. He makes her laugh deeper and harder than anyone else. And when he looks into her eyes she knows he sees her. Really sees her. He is a man with a work ethic like no other and a passion that daily drives him. He is wise and sincere and kind. He is a truth seeker and truth speaker. His words encourage and the gifts he gives are thought out and thought through. He is her best friend and favorite companion. He seeks out adventure with her hand in his. Bewildered, she knows that she is his. And he is hers.
August came around again and she was turning twenty six. He planned and thought and schemed a surprise just for her. Giddy with excitement for weeks until he gave it to her. “This might just be the best gift yet!” He said to her one night with a twinkle in his eye. A gift that affirmed how intimately he knew her–her loves, her passions. Her birthday came and with it his surprise. She opened the bag and pulled out the tissue paper. Inside was a certificate for a photo session along with a gift card to buy a new outfit. A night where their life together would be remembered and stopped. With love and laughter and both him and her inside each frame. Each moment. Each memory.
(Photo Credit by the talented: The Grays Photography)