the love you showed me

ph: Lisa Smit

You do not get the privilege of ruining me.

You were weak, that is your one character flaw. And yes, I lost a few
tears for you.

But you showed me how to love
and what it was like to come home to a warm bath ready
and homemade dinners
You taught me the importance of exercise
hard work
family
and multiple alarms in the mornings

You showed me what it meant to be loved
to cuddle at night and feel happy
to enjoy the company of dogs
to follow recipes when I'm cooking

From you, I realized
that showers are better in pairs
that it's okay to be sad
that reading never trumps a good make-out session.
You showed me how to be your other half and still be my own whole.

You've only made me a better, happier person, and your absence won't erase it.

All the love you showed me isn't yours for the taking. It is mine to pass on.