House, Recipe, Suit

Flowers, phone calls, emails, text messages (we are
modern people), presents just because, notes tucked into unexpected
places, being looked at, being seen, being touched, kisses, a tender embrace,
being pulled into arms and whispered to, laughing together,
having fun together, running together in rain or snow, presents on
birthdays and holidays, walking under changing autumn colors, lying in
a meadow in summer, wading in a stream, speaking other languages
to each other, speaking each other's secret language, reading poetry
aloud to each other, having morning tea or coffee together, exploring new
places together, hiking and picnicking together, listening to music
together, waking in the wee hours and tiptoeing outside to marvel at
a starry night, getting used to dancing with one another, smiling good morning,
solving puzzles together, choosing wine together and enjoying it by
candlelight, laughing at each other's jokes and laughing at ourselves, traveling
together, learning and discovering together, cooking for one another, eating
good food, teasing one another gently, chasing each other up the stairs, jumping
on the bed together, holding hands, keep adding smiles and keep adding kisses,
keeping friends in our lives, making time for others, sleeping comfortably with
each other, discovering each other's nakedness and sheltering it, giving our bodies
to one another without fear or shame, holding one another when we cry, admitting
our mistakes, apologizing to each other when we've blown it, arguing without fear
or malice, giving each other space, pursuing our dreams with courage, teaching one
another what we know, welcoming one another after being apart, encouraging
one another, caring for one another when we don't feel good, helping one another,
telling each other the truth, making room for each other's history, accepting
each other, helping our children heal and have hope, sharing burdens, living in
grace, maintaining family ties, nurturing ourselves and each other, showing our
injured children what is possible when two people love each other and do
not run away, expressing our anger our hurt our disappointment without destroying
the relationship, being able to tell each other what we need and what we
want and knowing we will get it, mending our hurts, remaining faithful to each other,
praying for each other, praying with each other, believing
in each other, forgiving one another, finding more happiness together
than on our own, experiencing peace in each other's company, never giving up,
saying I love you and hearing it back--and knowing that it's true.

The condensed version is this: Being completely ourselves and
happy with our own life, open to correction and growth, but all of it made
better and grander because of the beloved.  Just for good measure, I will add
this cherry on top: knowing we are loved and knowing we are safe.