We Love

I knew I was in love.  


How did I know?  


When he started doing annoying things, and I noticed but didn't care.  When he thought he looked good, but was really a fashion disaster, and I was still happy to go out and do things with him (not try to get him to change his outfit).  When he walked in the door to my apartment and it just felt like he belonged there.  


I knew I was in love, when I looked at him and thought to myself, "I love this man".


I knew I was in love, when I could acknowledge that I didn't know if he loved me or not, and I could accept the relationship as it is because I wouldn't want anything to change.  Because I love him, and I love us!


I knew I loved him because I so desperately wanted him to love me in return, and yet I didn't say a word.  I didn't hint, ask, or fish.


I knew I loved him when it was comforting to think of the words in Song of Solomon that said, "Do not awaken love until love so desires".  Knowing that love had awakened in me, but ignorant to the depth of his feelings.


I love him.


I love him without fear of getting hurt.


I love him and I want nothing about him to change.


I love him just as he is.


It has been more than a month since I discovered within myself that I love him.


And on Saturday, as we were standing at the end of Pier 39 in San Francisco, we had just taken a photo in front of the water, he looked down at me and said those beautiful, and magical words, "I love you".


I love.


I am loved.