My girlfriend and I both cried yesterday, for separate reasons. Long stories short, it was a rough day for us both. Some things came up that challenged us in ways that took us by surprise.

For me, something came up that would normally cause me to shut down. But my partners response to the problem kept me in tune with myself and the people around me. We spent a few minutes in the evening outside on my back stairs, holding each other and listening to an acoustic version of the song Halo.

In her arms I feel so safe and so loved. This is the home I’ve been looking for, and trying to create. She was there all along, ready to open her arms to love, patiently waiting for me to come to my senses.

Today I’m still overwhelmed, but it’s also a day where I am bursting with love for Ashley. My partner. My love. My sun. My moon. There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t feel incredibly lucky to be with her. I want to be the best partner I can be, for her. I want to love her until my last day on Earth. I want to hold her every night and wake up to her every morning.

And I’m not the only one who sees it. Yesterday my sister said, “I know you and Ashley are the real deal. I know you’re going to be together forever.”

And it’s true. She’s the real fucking deal. Kind, sweet, intelligent, hilarious, compassionate, silly, down to earth, passionate, and so many more things. She is, well… everything.

Ashley, I can’t wait to spend every day of my life loving you. And receiving your love in return. You are my life. I love you.