Me. I am short. I have long dark hair. I have grey eyes. I am stronger than I look.
You. You are tall. You have short red hair. You have green eyes. You are fragile.
I love watching funny movies and bad jokes and dreaming of someday.
You love watching me watch funny movies and nerd jokes and focusing on now.
I want to travel all around the world, following my whims.
You want to go to college and get a degree, have something solid.
I have lived my whole life with my parents loving me for me.
You have not, but rough starts can be overcome.
I am easily distracted and look at life through a lens of whimsy.
You are serious and focused, but see the beauty in everything.
I am temperamental and impatient, rushing headlong into things.
You are easygoing about most things, letting few things get to you.
The first time I saw you, you were in my way, and I elbowed you.
The first time you saw me, you stopped dead in your tracks until I ran into you.
I first made you laugh when I said squirrels used to be people.
You first made me laugh when you said raccoons were too.
I first knew we were friends when you showed up on my birthday with a sodden cupcake, a bouquet of flowers, and a rained-on present.
You first knew we were friends when I laughed and said it was the best present I’d ever gotten.
I first got angry at you when you wouldn’t tell me where your bruises were from.
You first got angry when I found out and pitied you.
I first said sorry when I realized I couldn’t stand being mad at you.
You first accepted it when you realized I meant it.
I first thought it might be love when you played me the song you’d written about peanut butter and pickle sandwiches.
You first thought it might be love when I stubbed my toe and swore like a sailor.
I first knew I was strong when I stood beside you at your father’s grave.
You first knew you were strong when you wept for him despite your relief.
I knew it was love when you had a ridiculous crazy idea for the future.
You knew it was love when I said your idea wasn’t even sort of practical.
I was first worried when I kept getting sick.
You were first worried when I stopped telling you everything.
I was first heartbroken when the doctor said six months.
You were first heartbroken when I told you why.
I first cried when I couldn’t get up again.
You first cried when I stopped trying.
I was hopeful again at seven months.
You were hopeful again when I walked to the door.
I knew it would be okay when I went home again and you were waiting on one knee.
You knew it would be okay when I said yes.
I am Carter, the girl who loves you. You are Henry, the boy who loves me. This is the beginning of something. This is the end of something. Of what, we decide.