I remember it was early morning. The time of day you always claim I never see willingly. And sitting there in that big wooden chair out in the woods, I remember wishing for at least a few early mornings of my lifetime to be given back to me. Because this one in particular was so entrancing. But looking back now, I don't think my heightened spirits could be attributed completely to that mist-like dew on the grass near the cabin, or the little chirping of invisible birds, or even that cool wind that stung my sleepy eyes, as quaint as all that may sound.

No. I doubt it.

It was you. You, the strongest influencer of all my psyche, the keeper of my soul. You were still miles away in the Jeep, but I could feel you coming closer to me. My insides felt it, the way you feel someone you've loved and lived a lifetime with. Lifetimes in our case.

We'd been physically separated for several days, but I had been touching you the whole while. We never lost contact. Making love miles apart. And now the bodily reunion was imminent. My mind to me a kingdom is, yes, and I can recreate you perfectly in my thoughts at will. But the anticipation of looking at you again I could hear pounding in my ears. And I've been looking at you for lifetimes.

I sat there with stillness around me in that Adirondack chair you had bought me years ago just, you said, because I wanted it. I was thinking into the future when we're old and we'll be able to drift off to sleep in these chairs up here. Maybe in the late afternoon. Side by side. Maybe with our teeth still in our mouths. And I'll be thinking then: you are here with me and you have been here with me all along.

I remember hearing the Jeep pull up the hill and stop on the gravel behind me. I was smiling to the woods as I listened to you getting out and walking towards me. Ah, the sweet anticipation. Then I turned around. You stopped. The full morning sun made it impossible for me to see your face, and the effect was spooky. You were a gorgeous unearthly being, a stunning head of light. But then you raised your hand and stepped forward. And you smiled at me. The same smile I've seen an infinity of times. But each one has its own magic. And this one sent me reeling. Totally entranced. Sharing one love, one life with you. That is most stunning of all.

Maybe when we are old, maybe I will find myself wishing for more of those early mornings back, the ones I slept through. Just so I can look at you a little longer. I'm sure now it will take something far stronger than death to part us.

You alone, you are the everything.