a year ago today, the tides turned for us for the better. i still remember my complete and utter shock when i opened my door and saw you standing there with a bouquet of flowers. i didn't think it was possible that they could be for me. i was wary, guarded, still healing. but i saw the sincerity in your eyes and felt it in my heart when you bravely decided to follow yours. i don't doubt that it must have been a frightening moment, a leap of faith in a big way. i'll never stop being grateful that you turned that page. that you wanted our story to continue, too.

today i'm no longer scared to love. i embrace how deeply i love you because i know what we have is forever. when i think about our future, all i can do is smile. i know we're going to have so many more celebrations, milestones, memories. we're going to share a home and a family. we'll be stupidly happy with laugh lines and our hands intertwined.

a year ago, looking ahead seemed bleak. i wondered if all of my fantasies had merely been silly childhood dreams. but you make them a reality every day, and i can't thank you enough for giving the world its sparkle again. i love you, baby. i hope you enjoy your gifts. happy valentine's day!