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The sunlight peeks through the curtains, as I flutter my eyes open. I turn on my side, facing you who's already awake.
"Good morning~"
"Morning, love," you raise an eyebrow,
"aren't you forgetting something?"I groan,
"No.?"
"Anniversary~" you whisper, giggling just like you did when we first met.
"Today?!" I push myself forward into your arms- a failed attempt at a hug.
"Congrats baby!" you laugh and kiss the top of my head, bringing a hand up to play with my hair.
I am content in your arms, yet my mind rushes.
It's today already? I can't believe time has passed by so quickly. Thinking of this day felt so distant; unreachable.
35...
35 years of saying our vows...
35 years of sharing rings and a house, but a lifetime of loving you.
You seem to notice my uneasiness and lace your fingers with mine,
"I love you so much" I hear you whisper into the crook of my neck.
"I love you too."
As i hold your hand, I remember the first time i felt your touch, how it lit a flame in me not even the lakes of despair could extinguish. I think of our wedding night, the flowers and ribbons, the music and drinks. I think of all those times you took care of me when I couldn't do it on my own; all the tears you wiped away before they dared stained my cheeks.
I look around our room. It's full of pictures from our adventures together, like a museum just for us two.
Remember when you took me to the carnival? I wasted all my spare change on those games, rigged as they were, and won you the fluffiest plushie prize. I still remember... The air smelled like popcorn and rainbow lights surrounded us. Careless as you were, you kisses me on the ferris wheel. You, romantic idiot, chose the highest point with the prettiest view. Nevertheless, my eyes were all on you. I will forever treasure the warmth of your breath and the slight tremble in your hands as you held my waist that night.
I am so full of love.
It is to you, and only you that I am capable of giving it to.
Our days of youth were truly lovely. It's not that our spark has been lost, but instead, we have found a new purpose in life, and I'm glad it is together. We don't need each other, yet we chose it- this- to wake up under the same sheets and to share the roof over our heads. We wanted this.
It may have been selfish of me to think something this beautiful would last forever, but here I am, holding my breath, as I help you off the bed,
"May I have this dance?" I giggle,
"Always."
Our bones cry and ache while our hearts rumble in excitement, as I hold you in my arms just like I did all those years ago. It would be so much easier if we were young again, if our skin was less wrinkled; our bodies less battered by time. Yet after so many years, we are still just two slow dancers; last ones out.
I still trace the freckles on your face, and you still hold my hand. Our feet move in silence, gliding across the cold wooden floor; morning light caressing our dancing frames.
I am so glad I found you.
There will come a day where the life we are now living will be nothing but a memory. The smell of a gymnasium will be part of my dreams- it's funny how they're all the same. It reminds me of us somehow... All the sleepless nights of hard work, of crying rivers onto your chest; of disappointment and of pride... It reminds me of our youth.
It's been years since we've felt the blinding spotlights on us, but we are loved. The world may have forgotten us, but we will never forget each other, for I will take your name to my grave in the hopes we lay in the same heaven.