Perpetual Smile

I initially had this post password-protected, ’cause it was sort of a present and I wanted Mike to be able to read it first. And read it he did. Apparently the word “boner” makes him laugh (see comments below).

Mike,

I know that by posting this — and letting you read it — you are totally gonna make fun of me, ’cause that’s how we roll. Still, I have yet to actually make a “this is why I love Mike” post; I usually just mention you or write about something funny you’ve said and call it a day. There have been several times where you asked me why I love you, and even though there are more than ten reasons here are some of the biggest:

1. You make me laugh, even when I’m mad at you. Sometimes it’s hard to stay mad. We’ll be in the middle of an argument or a serious discussion and you’ll say something so funny I can’t help myself and I’ll start laughing. Even when things are looking pretty bad, you can still make me laugh.
2. Your undying patience balances out my perpetual impatience. You’re always so calm and cool, even when I’m bouncing off the walls. You always help me to relax and see the big picture. No matter how bad it is you can always get me to calm down. I’ve always been a spitfire but for some reason you’ve managed to tame me (a little). You’ve got skills, babe.
3. You’re also a family person. It’s easy to see how much you love your family, and how close your family is in general. When I see you with Little Tony, I see exactly how big your heart is. I think part of me started to fall in love with you the first day I saw you with your little brother.
4. Another reason I love you is how smart you are. You know a lot about a lot of things. You have your opinions and you stick to them. You can look at the world and analyze it in an interesting way and come up with something that really gets me thinking. For example, during the election when I was leaning more toward McCain, you pointed out a couple of things about Obama that I hadn’t thought about and got me thinking. You’re always challenging me to think and to see.
5. You’re always there for me. Even if you’ve heard me complain about the same thing ten times, you’ll still listen and mm-hmn in all the right places when I tell you for the eleventh time (though you will remind me I’ve already told you). The first thing you ask me every day is how my day was (sometimes I can beat you to it). You always know when something is wrong, sometimes without me saying anything, and even if you can’t fix it you can usually make me feel better.
6. You’re very outgoing, and in turn have made me more outgoing. You’ll talk to anybody, about anything, for any amount of time. Sometimes I have to drag you out of the store, or you’d talk forever! You’re easy to like, which I guess is why I agreed to hang out with you that first night. (Plus you’re kinda hot.) I was never very outgoing, until I met you. It’s kind of hard not to get involved in the conversation when you’re around. You always make me feel comfortable.
7. You’re a fucking amazing kisser. One time in particular sticks out in my mind. It was late one night (or early one morning, depending on how you look at it), and it was pouring rain. You walked me to my car and kissed me. It was indescribable. It was as if you were kissing me with everything you had, and then some. I can’t even explain how good that kiss was, but I wanted it to last forever and ever. You kissed me like you really, truly meant it. You’re always a great kisser, but that kiss could never be beat, I don’t think. (You’re more than welcome to try, though!)
8. You’re sweet and thoughtful. You help me lift the hood of the car so I can disconnect/reconnect the battery. You buy me small gifts that mean the world (like the smaller, lighter purse I will wear until it wears out, because it’s so perfect for me and my TOS). You hold the door for me. You don’t mind cuddling up and sometimes you’ll hold me as if you’re afraid I’ll disappear. (I wouldn’t, for anything.) One time, you dropped me off for an awards banquet and while I was eating and chainsmoking with other people, you literally shampooed and vacuumed my car from top to bottom — just because you remembered that I had said I needed to do it.
9. You’re attentive, in more than one way. You can easily pick up on my moods, when I’m hurting, when I’m sad. You pay attention to the little things and always remember what I like. You remember my favorite foods, and when I need ice cream you always make sure I get my ice cream, dammit. One time you drove us to three different gas stations just so I could have my Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Dough. If that’s not true love, I don’t know what is.
10. You’re completely unselfish. You put everyone else before yourself, even when it means you won’t get what you need or want. You go grocery shopping for your mom, even when you’re tired. You do dishes and mop and bake and clean for her, without a single word of complaint. You let Little Tony spend hours on the Xbox-360, even when you’re itching for a turn. You’ve stayed up until five in the morning to make sure that Robbie was okay when he had too much to drink. You’ve taken or come with me to several doctor appointments, taken your dad to various surgeries and overnight tests, and so much more.

There are a million more reasons for why I love you, like how your smile lights up your whole face or how I would know your voice anywhere. The way you’re completely happy to go shopping and run errands with me, carrying things without me even asking or needing you to. The way you can light up a whole room with just being there. How you can make me feel so good about myself all the time. And more and more and more.

You’ve taught me that it’s okay to fall in love again and trust someone when you’ve been used. You’ve made me believe that I can be safe and happy, and of course it would have to be with you.

I love you, more than Ben & Jerry’s and The Crow. I love you more than spaghetti and Lacuna Coil. I love you more than I love wearing sweats and reading. I love you so much sometimes I have to wonder if I’m dreaming. I guess you’re right, we’re it for each other. Besides, who the hell wants to be bothered trying to find someone “better” when I’ve already got you?

We will get through these roadblocks, and we will be happy together always. Thanks for being my best friend.