I knew. Even before you came into my life I knew. I knew that one day I would find you. I don't know how or why I knew, I just did. Now I lay here beside you, amazed still that fortune smiled my way.
With feather light touches, I tenderly brush my fingers over your face, gently moving your bangs out of the way, touching your eyes, your nose, and your lips. You stir slightly, smiling softly in your sleep. Not wanting to awaken you, I slowly remove my hand and simply gaze upon your face. Again, as I marvel at the wonder that is you, I think back to the day you came into my life.
Rushing down the hallway of the office building where I worked, not really looking where I was going, I found myself coming to a complete and abrupt halt as I ran smack into the door of the elevator and dropped everything that was in my arms. I bounced back a couple of steps, my hand going immediately to touch my forehead and rub it gingerly.
As I squatted down to pick up my things, I heard this voice ask. "Are you okay?" Looking up I gazed right into the softest, most gentle eyes I had ever seen. They were the most amazing color, kind of a mix between hazel and green. At that moment, they were expressing a look of concern; although I have seen them express many other emotions over the years.
Standing, I replied. "Yes, I'm fine, just a slight dent in my pride."
We both stood and gazed at each other for a couple of moments before the elevator doors opened and I stepped inside. As the doors closed, I found myself watching the slight sway of your hips as you continued on your way. Girl, I told myself, you really need to be paying attention to where you're going.
As I rode in the elevator down to the lobby, my thoughts couldn't help but turn to those soft eyes. Dummy, I said as I smacked myself on the forehead, which turned out to NOT be a good idea considering it had just met an elevator door. You didn't even say thank you. Thinking that if she worked in this building, I'd get another chance to see her and say thanks, I set the idea aside for the moment. Shaking my head slightly, I grabbed my keys out of my jacket pocket and headed out of the elevator as the doors opened to my car in the parking deck.
A couple of weeks went by before we ran into each other again - literally. I swear I really do need to pay attention when I'm walking somewhere. Laughing softly you once again asked me "Are you alright?" then said, "We've got to stop meeting like this."
Sheepishly I grinned back at you. "I'm fine, just another slight dent in my pride. I'm really not usually this accident prone."
Laughing you said, "Maybe the Fates are trying to tell us something."
"Maybe," I said.
You gazed at me with this mischievous look and a grin on your face then you turned to walk away.
"Wait!" I called. You looked back towards me with a quizzical expression and a raised eyebrow. "I don't know your name," I said.
"Jaime," you replied. "Jaime Walters." You stepped back up to me and held out your hand. Reaching out and taking it, I said,"Taylor Compton." We stood there for another moment or two, still holding each other's hand and looking into each other's eyes.
Looking a bit reluctant you said, "Well, I guess I'd better be going."
Before I knew it I was asking you, "Can I call you sometime?"
You kind of smiled that soft smile that I've come to know so well, fished a card out of your pocket and wrote your number on the back. Handing it to me you said, "I'm free Saturday night." Giving me a wink, you turned once again and headed on your way. I know I had a huge smile on my face as I walked on down the street.
What I didn't know at the time was that you had turned to watch me until I walked out of sight.
That first date turned into a second date, then a third. Not much more time passed after our fourth date before we were moving in together. We had gone shopping and had lucked into a beautiful house with two huge bay windows. You had mentioned once how you loved houses with that type of windows, so when we saw that one and I saw the delight on your face, I knew I had to get it for you. So the house became our home.
As I think back over our life together, I remember a lot of the good times, and there were many. I remember our first kiss, the first time I saw you cry during a movie, the first time we made love, the first time you held me as I cried. Sure, there were some rocky times, thankfully these were few. Through it all there was a bone deep love to carry us through, along with the promise we had made to each other to never go to bed hurt or angry. The next morning all would be forgiven and we'd each head out for our day after a hug and a kiss.
And, at the end of the day, we'd come home and ask each other "How was your day?" I hope you knew how much the tender and heartfelt hug you gave me meant when I'd had a tough day. And, I hope you knew how much love was in the one I'd give you.
Remembering birthdays as time always spent with just each other. No matter what was going on. Having no family myself, I always loved that your family remembered mine as well as yours. And, I'm proud to say that even the simplest gift from you meant the world to me. The best gift of all was the way your face would light up when you'd open your present from me. One of my most cherished memories of those days is the smile that lit your face when you opened the box and found my ring for you. And the surprised delight as I knelt on one knee and asked you to marry me. That is still a treasured memory held close to my heart.
Christmas time is another favorite memory. My heart always filled with pride and love at the way your family always made the journey to spend Christmas Day with us, even though it would be easier for us to go to them. Your mom had told me once that this was one of her favorite gifts to give her daughter. Your mom means the world to me to this day . Her willingness to give her daughter even the smallest chance at happiness is one of the many reasons why. Not to mention all of your family's willingness to accept your being a lesbian and accepting our relationship as a real family. Those days meant and still mean a great deal to me. And, I know you'd laugh if you knew that my face still turns red when I recall the kiss I would get on New Year's Eve. The one that would curl my toes and make my knees go weak whenever you'd trap me under the mistletoe you always hung just inside the front door.
But, the best memory of all, the one that brings me many warm and wonderful feelings, is the night you told me you were expecting our first child. More amazing was the fact that one turned out to be twins a girl and a boy - Jessica and Ryan. My heart still feels like it will explode as I recall that night. Having grown up in an orphanage, my being able to give a child a warm and loving home was important to me in a way I didn't fully understand until that night. Knowing this, you made sure that our children always knew they were wanted and loved completely and unconditionally. Although we knew we'd miss them fiercely, we were proud of their going off to college. Our daughter wanted to become a veterinarian, our son a pediatric doctor. Our daughter's love of animals and our son's love of children may have come from us both, but their gentle natures are truly a tribute to you.
As I continue to reminisce while I watch you sleep, I notice the sun starting to shine through the blinds, announcing a new day. Seeing your eyelids begin to flutter, I lean over and gently kiss your lips. You open your eyes fully, smile that soft smile of yours and say, "Good morning, Love."
I didn't speak for a moment, just continued to gaze lovingly into the eyes I first looked into twenty-five years ago today. "Happy Anniversary, my heart," I said. My heart again felt full and complete as I told you, "I think I've loved you from the first moment I saw you."
You hold your arms out to me and I bend down to welcome you to this new day. As our lips start to meet, I hear you softly say, "Happy Anniversary, baby."
The End
