Sometimes, I watch you sleep. I know you know because every now and then you’ll squint one eye open to give me that half asleep sexy smile before you go back to sleep.

I’ll watch as your face relaxes, your mouth slightly opens, and you’ll admit little snores or even whisper my name.

It amazes me that you never ask why, maybe deep down you know. I stare at you because I see so much more than your hazel eyes and soft spirit.

I see our future. I lie awake next to you and I realize that right there, in your arms, is my favorite place to be.

I see myself at your family events. Your cousin’s baby shower, your brother’s graduation, your sister’s wedding. I see myself belonging in your family. From breakfast with the family on Sundays, to mimosas at your aunts, Saturday walks down on your sister’s property, an evening drink on your Mother’s porch. I see us growing together. I see myself moving in, saying yes, starting a family.

I see the multiple dimensions that could have been, but all roads leading to you. What if we met in high school? What if we grew up next door to one another? What if I met you at a Friday night football game? What if we bumped into each other at the grocery store? What if you just brought Hank or Axel into my veterinary clinic and I was the assistant that day? How would we have met if it hadn’t been for our dogs? Because I know, I was meant to be here.

I stare at you because I cannot believe that out of all of the seven billion people on this planet, I’m the one laying on your chest and listening to your steady heart beat. I stare at you because when I was at my lowest, one glance at you and I knew giving up wasn’t an option. I stare at you because that smile gave me the courage to speak up and meet the love of my life. Any moment that I can spend looking at you, I will. For when I look at you, I see forever.