"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear."

Dear Babe,

Where should I start? I suppose I could thank you for showing me the world that's more beautiful than I could ever imagine. Or I could just tell you all the things you make me feel or the different ways you make me smile...but it would all take too long and I fear that no amount of words could ever put those feelings into a concise article, you know- something short enough to keep people's interest, but long enough to list everything I love about you. So...I think I'll take another approach.

When I was younger, I always dreamed of a knight in shining armor. A fairytale person who would exceed all expectations. He would always know when someone is wrong, and our love would be perfect. As I got older, I realized that fairy tales are just that...fairytales. There is no knight in shining armor or a perfect man who does no wrong. And just like me - he'll be perfectly imperfect, but none of that would matter because to me, he'd always be perfect in my eyes.

I'd go on to say how I waited my whole life for a love like ours - one that never makes me question if I'm loved. One where love shines through not only those three words, but through actions or words - like asking me if I've eaten lunch before going back to class, or offering to drive yourself home because you knew I was tired that night.

It's funny babe, I never pictured myself loving anybody or anything for that matter - life was something you did to pass the time and growing up was confusing because everybody around me already found their "special someone.' But never me. I always felt different. My hair was always different. My attitude (too shy according to many) wasn't right, and I always felt awkward when it came time to talk to people.

I spent many days wondering what was wrong with me, why didn't anybody like me or talk to me like they did the popular girls? I thought maybe if I could be prettier or more outgoing or more...like them...I too would find my special someone.

Now, in looking back, I see why I never found my "special someone" back then. I see why I had to stumble upon some dead ends, and it finally makes sense why it never worked out before. I didn't know it at the time, but you, my "special someone" wasn't going to be waiting for me at the lunch table, you weren't going to be talking to me at my locker while I got my things for next class. You just weren't. Because we weren't ready for each other yet.

I wasn't ready to handle all you could give to me or all of the wonderful things you could bring to my life. I had to experience bad before I could finally appreciate all of the good in you. And believe me, I do. Loving you is the easiest thing I've ever done and I'm not sure I was ready to back then when everybody else was for a love as pure as yours. You show me time and time again that being me - is enough for you and it's more than you could ever ask for. Thank you for making me feel like enough.

In saying this, I hope you realize how much you mean to me, how much I truly care about you and love our time and memories made. I'm grateful for the time you finally walked into my life and I'm even more grateful for the wait that led up to it. The mistakes made and lessons learned led me straight to the one person that would change my entire world.

Today, tomorrow and every day after that - I will love you more. And no matter what our future holds, I'm so grateful that my life has been changed because of you. Thank you.

I love you always...

Love,

Me.