The all-nighter...

Do you remember the night we stayed up talking and dreaming for more than half a day in hours? Not that it didn’t feel real before, but something about the way you excitedly talked to me about the possible futures, about our homestead, our family, the little cottage in the woods, and all the other things that make up a live well lived, in those moments, something shifted, became even more so than it had been. I could see clearly all the potential roads that stretched out into forever. I can still see the joy in your eyes.

Near the end, as we were having to go our separate ways for a bit, I got a bit carried away, I suppose, and I said something that I think may have caught you off guard, and I started to get a little anxious, worried that perhaps the dreaming had scared you. You reassured me, but sometimes the old traumas don’t die easily, though I think I’ve gotten better at taming them in the light of your love. I’m not a perfect man, and god knows I’ve got my fair share of scars. But I’m working at healing them, and your presence is helping. I just may need a little grace, at times, should I overstep, or get lost. I love you, my sweet girl, and I hope we have many, many more nights like that one. I’ll be right here, now and always.