1. Thank you for being my best friend (before we started dating).

I know there's such a stigma about being the so-called friend zone, but you were so much more than a friend. You inched your way into my life and built yourself into it, one Facebook call at a time. You took the time to get to know me, we took our turns falling asleep on late night video calls, and even sent me a Valentine's day package with no strings attached since we didn't really establish any type of term for what we were. But for all these things and more, I am thankful for the time we got to know each other before jumping head first into a relationship. I know we matched on tinder, and there’s the whole “hook-up culture” stigma about the application’s use, but we quickly became friends during the short period of time I was in Virginia for. Through video calls, and frequent messages, we were able to get to know each other well in a relatively brief amount of time. We waited six months to meet in person, and the amount of anticipation built up from the friendship that we created, made this meeting all more nerve-wracking and exciting.

2. Thank you for being my shoulder angel and devil manifested into physical form.

You know exactly what to say when I need it. There are those times when you know I need a shot of encouragement, and a few whispered words of “you can do it,” packaged in your gentle tone of voice. There are those other times when you know I need you to play devil’s advocate and let me hear the other side of a situation I might be narrow-minded with. There are also those times when you know I need to conjure an extroverted chromosome out of thin air to fight for what is right, and you are the black belt I need to learn from. Thanks for letting me be your grasshopper, great warrior.

3. Thank you for not being Romeo at the Capulets’ masked ball.

What I mean by this is, thanks for not wearing a mask to conceal your identity and give me a fake copy of yourself. Who knows, you could’ve ended up with fair Rosalind if you played your cards right, but I am the one that holds your hand in this game of poker. I am glad that the two of us can truly be ourselves, freed and unafraid, and totally content with showing our true colors. Even if they are temporarily blue. We have grown so close together, and our souls can’t help but intertwine.

4. Thank you for being my number one supporter.

If we had gone to high school together, I promise I would’ve gone to all the Husker games with you, and quizzed you on AF JROTC knowledge before inspections, and would’ve been supportive (though devastated) of your choice to stop pursuing band. None the less, I want to say thank you to my number one fan. You have done nothing but support me and my decisions, no matter how crazy or absurd they might sound. We’ve walked around Boston at night with socks on and had dish soap foam fights in what is now our apartment. We always consult each other about the most trivial as well as important decisions like an 8 ball, or horoscopes, or tarot cards, etc... This world is so full of change and inconsistency that I am glad to have you as my one constant.

5. Thank you for being my plus one to anything.

It’s such a refreshing feeling knowing that you always have a trusted person by your side. Especially with my introverted little self, I always love having you go everywhere with me. And by this, I mean anywhere. Anything from spontaneous fires at a friend’s house, last minute runs to Dairy Queen, to my high school unit’s JROTC ball, Accepted Falcon’s Day, and most recently, me randomly asking if you wanted to visit Tower Hill Botanic Garden. I am not sure what I was expecting when I asked you to go to a garden with me, but I should have. Instead of the typical macho guy groan, you were nothing but optimistic and eager to go. And therefore, I’m marrying you; your willingness to try new things and renew your experiences with past trials.

6. Thank you for being lawful neutral to my chaotic good.

You always know how to approach a situation to achieve the best possible outcome. You had the courage to lean in for our first kiss. And you knew to step in on my call to Navy Federal so that they would stop talking in circles and get something done since they’re paid to do so. You always know how to balance me out well.

7. Thanks for being my warm body, cuddle bear, and the (sometimes) little spoon.

I am so immensely grateful that I have someone to fall asleep with at the end of the night. But knowing that I have the love of my life noisily snoring next to me, and not just any random person, is the most reassuring feeling in the world. I don’t know why, but cuddling is the most enjoyable way to fall asleep. I sleep so much better and faster with you by my side, and when you let me be the big spoon sometimes, it’s a nice change in perspective.

8. Thanks for being my shining sun, when I am stuck in a perpetual rain shower.

I know there are just those days when I’m not my normal cheery and optimistic self. You always approach them with greatness and a funny attitude, to brighten my day when I need it most. I know when I tackle you with an attitude, you'll avenge it with a tickle fight and we will both die laughing. Which is precisely what I love about you.

9. Thanks for being real with me.

I know this sounds mundane and cliché, but I mean this sincerely. There are a lot of snakes out there, both metaphorical and literal, and you help me find the antidote to all their bites. You dish it to me like it is. When you think someone is being insincere or is undeserving of my respect, you candy-coat, sugarcoat, or throw fondant over an issue but you let me know. You always tell me like it is, and for that I am thankful.

10. Thank you for being rational.

I know that sounds stupid but hear me out. Sometimes I think with an impulse, and that could be good or bad. Regardless of the situation, you always take your time to assess the circumstances and context to formulate the best possible and most well thought out response. So, the next time we go grocery shopping I know that we will get milk without me stealing a cute little lab from Petco.

11. Thank you for coming into the “girly” stores instead of waiting outside.

When we are together, I want to be together. We walk together side by side, hand clutching hand, and browse together. We make sure that we visit all stores on both of our agendas, or just walking the two laps around the mall. But regardless, I appreciate that you come into those more feminine stores and not groaning or dragging my arm out the door. You maintain attentiveness and general interest, which I totally admire because it is something I need to work on, but I try my best.

12. Thanks for being a storyteller.

There are just those nights where I am bored with nothing to do. And we can just sit on the edge of our bed as you tell me the stories of your past. Your voice adds so much character to text, and it just makes me enjoy the time we spend together even more. You give me more insight into you, and I absolutely love it.

13. Thank you for being yourself.

It is so hard to find people that don't wear a mask when you're around them. I feel like people impulsively change their appearance and personality, as if they're both interchangeable parts like Legos. You are always your goofy, genuine self. Your sarcasm, your funny jokes, your steadfast political views, and your pride in crminal justice, and your career goals all make you who you are, and I would never change a thing.

14. Thanks for back-seat driving my finances.

You don't hover over or control my spending like a parent would, but you're like a phone notification gently nudging me like, "hey, your balances are kinda low, make sure you have enough to cover your bills this month," or, "ask yourself this question: do you need this RIGHT now?" It's small little things that keep me in check, and I am immensely appreciative that you check up on me, not only this way but others too.

15. Thank you for not being controlling.

These days, controlling and obsessive behaviors are too ubiquitous to ignore. I am immensely glad to have a partner that trusts my integrity and purpose being in a committed relationship with mutual trust. I trust you to be faithful to me, you do the same. And we let our actions show how loyal and faithful we are to this relationship. We both know better than to settle for anything less and have the decency to know when a relationship has reached its end. Knock on wood that ours won't. *knock* *knock*

16. Thank you for your service.

I know this is a cliché thank you, but there is so much more to it. Thank you for carrying yourself, after seeing things that would make others crumple, and fold like a deck of cards. Thank you for answering the nation’s call to service. I admire you so much for the things that you do daily, including and not including what you did for the Navy. Now, I know there are a lot of people that romanticize and glorify wearing the uniform, but I promise you that my loyalty stems far beyond what clothes you wear.

There are a lot more things that I could thank you for, but I have to save some things for another article.