things that keep us, us

the way your lips twist into an endearingly crooked smile

the sparkle that flickers through your eyes

like an electric shock that speeds its way from your brain down its track

to the windows of your beautiful soul

the scent that surrounds you, then wraps me in its warm

comforting

safe

blanket of wonder.

these are what makes you,

you

but what makes us us

is the everlasting sense of trust-

that any woman

any girl

could stand in front of you

paint herself like a picture

with all of the most beautiful colors in the world

and i know that you would not even begin to admire her artwork.

the nonstop influx of support

coursing through your veins, 

itching to enter mine

the soft, pillowy comfort of knowing that you will be there

and i will be there for you

we are a system, a cycle

a neverending infinity of love and admiration,

a consistent bounce house of i'm-proud-of-you's

of lightning crackles saying, "i'm here for you

i will be there for your game

i will be in the front row of your play, opening night

i am proud of you."

a generous curiosity

it splits itself in half and perches itself atop our heads

always craving to know more

to dive deeper inside of each other

until we know every corner of each other's minds.

and with this limitless curiosity, 

this foundation of trust that holds our bond high in the air like a skyscraper,

this love built on support and admiration and pride in one another

we have found a way

to find us.