What being in love means to me

To me, being in love…

…is kindness.

…is a key to the crib.

…is a random email saying "I love you," at 3:47 p.m. on a Tuesday afternoon, just because.

…is goodness with the potential of greatness.

…is an Al Green song belting from your stereo.

…is growth.

…is "well…let me tell you all about her!"

…is the maturation of infatuation.

…is a shine that doesn't wear off.

…is that…that je ne sais quoi.

…is the sacrifice that reaps interminable dividends.

…is truth in position.

…is finding gray hairs on one another.

…is fingers on the keys of a piano.

…is knowing you have a confidant without prejudice.

…is saying "okay" to things you don't wish to do, just to see her smile.

…is Oslo omelettes and potatoes with Hollandaise sauce on a Sunday morning.

…is flashing a toothy grin for no good reason.

…is reflection.

… is a weekend wasted away between the bedsheets.

…is an embrace so tight that she can come no closer.

…is uplifting when desired.

…is honesty when needed.

…is patience always.

…is a shared sense of humor.

…is a toothbrush in the bathroom and panties left on the bedroom floor.

…is sneaking a kiss when no one is looking. And sometimes even when they are.

…is the peace in a mind at war.

…is striving to do better.

…is a high that doesn't crash; a drunk that doesn't hang over.

…is dancing the entire night away.

…is forgiveness.

…is an unchained melody.

…is the kindred spirit. The creation and sustenance of family.

…is the duality of joy and agony.

…is the juice that gets you out of bed on an early Monday morning.

…is "what the fuck is this I'm feeling?!?!?"

…is intimacy that disgusts everyone else.

…is a desire to put her comfort over your own.

…is an incomparable elation.

…is stealing food from her plate.

…is omnipresence of the light.

…is the most profound inspiration.

…is shared, knowing glances.

…is an agreement; a contract with no paper.

…is a letter written on yellow paper.

…is the excitement at what's to come.

…is a beautiful surrender.

…is a honeymoon phase that doesn't end.

…is showing your homies a part of you they've never seen.

…is a warm blanket, a couch and a DVD on a cold evening.

…is truly not mattering what anyone – ANYONE – thinks.

…is a restless heart.

…is folks telling you that you're "glowing."

…is reaction we don't always intend.

…is unprecedented exposure of vulnerability.

…is holding her face in your hand and locking her eyes with yours.

…is Sex 2.0: The Lovemaking Edition.

…is the best and worst of circumstances shared.

…is some of the only hard work worth working for.

…is left of center.

…is the essence of the mortal coil.

…is not being able to run away. And not wanting to.

…is many streaming tears.

…is many spent years.

…is waiting for her to return.