Love Is

Love is in the smallest sensations, of you, of me.

Love is the sweat of your brows on my sheets, and the warmth of you next to me.

Love is the scent of your soap on my skin, and the subtle lingering odor of your laundry soap as you kiss me before rushing out the door.

Love is your hand settling on my leg under the table at dinner, and in the car ride home.

Love is your hand finding mine, as we walk amidst a crowd of people. It's your open arm held out for me to hold; your palm on the small of my back.

Love is your tired sighs after your heated words, as you vent about the frustrations of your day.

Love is you listening to me empty my heart out, on those days that just seem heavier than the rest.

Love is your tight embrace, and your open lap, your gentle hands through my hair, as I curl up into a ball, wanting to hide away from the world, because life has a way of grinding itself into my weary bones.

Love is the smile you give me, as I glance up to you for strength, because my nerves are fraught with anxiousness.

Love is the freed space between us, because we respect each others' need to be alone sometimes.

Love is your disheveled hair at 5 AM, and your hesitantly shared fear of the growing lack of it. 

Love is in the smallest gestures.

Love is you at my door, at 7 PM, eyebrows raised, with a pack of beer, junk food, and a bad movie to share.

Love is the little packets of salt you stuff into your pockets for my popcorn at the movies; the chocolates you pick up on your way to see me because it's just that time; it's the box of tissues you make sure to leave by my bed when I have a cold.

Love is the extra cup of coffee you always make sure to brew for me in the mornings when you make your own.

Love is your grin as you eat my burnt cookies, because my timer stopped working, and I ran out of batter.

Love is in the words we speak, and in those we find unable to say.

Love is you holding back the words 'It's okay', because sometimes it's really not. Instead, it's the reassurance that no matter what unfolds, you will never leave.

Love is the small, spaces of silence between shared fits of quieting laughter.

Love is the journey we share. It is your openness to share the passions that wrest in your heart, the goals and dreams in your mind, and the sorrows and fears in your soul.

Love is every part of the darkness inside you. It is your anger, your tears, your moans, your nightmares.

Love is the acceptance of the ever-evolving changes we inevitably find ourselves experiencing.

And I love YOU. I love every fiber in your perfectly flawed flesh. Your very existence is love to me.

Love is happiness, of you, of me.