And for the longest time after that… we were just surviving.
Bills.
Work.
Childcare.
Life is hard when you’re always trying to figure things out, always on to the next problem, always just trying to get through the week.
Romance kind of… gets left behind.
Not because you love them less.
Just because survival takes up all the space.
Here’s something I’ve learned recently… it doesn’t matter how long it’s been.
It doesn’t matter if you haven’t said the right words in years.
What matters is that you start.
Now.
Today.
And today happens to be her birthday.
This is my love letter.
Today you’re one day older but still as young as the woman I met more than a decade ago.
I don’t always say it.
I know that.
But I feel it every day… in the quiet moments, in the ordinary Tuesday mornings, in the way I still look for you first in every room.
You are the reason surviving felt worth it.
And now I want to do more than survive.
I want to celebrate every year you gain beside you.
Unwavering.
Steadfast.
Loyal to the day we end our vows at the tomb.
Starting today.
Happy birthday, hooman.
Writing love letters doesn’t have to be eloquent.
It just has to be honest.
Even a few sentenses scribbled on a sticky note means something.
Even a voice message.
Even this.
The importance of expressing your love isn’t just about making your partner feel good (though it does that, absolutely)… it’s also about reminding yourself.
Putting it into words forces you to actually look at the person in front of you.
To see them again.
To remember why you chose them.
Especially after years of just… getting through it together.
So if you haven’t said it in a while, say it today.
Write it down.
Send the message.
Leave the note on the ref.
Do it imperfectly.
Do it anyway.
It’s worth the effort. It always is.