There’s a boy I really, really like. He’s handsome and charming, with big brown eyes and dimples that give my world color and warmth. When I’m with him, the butterflies in my stomach frolick – they must feel as happy as I do. 

And the best part is that I have a feeling he likes me, too. It’s the same feeling I get whenever he looks at me, the one that makes me feel like the luckiest girl on Earth; the one that hasn’t changed a bit in the last sixty-five years we’ve been married. 

He’s like a raisin – wrinkled and shriveled up, but I like raisins. In every wrinkle I see the mark of a memory: they’re memories of our time together, forever etched into him. His skin is a canvas for us to paint over with emotion and lived experience. We hold the paintbrush together and let our imagination loose. Some paint gets on me, too, The canvas is almost filled, but we've yet to add the finishing touches. If it’s made by the two of us, I know it’ll turn out okay. 

I help him hobble over to the couch. He’s not as fast or as strong as he used to be, but he’s still my favorite person. The arms that used to carry me tremble in my hands, as if crying from relief at their long-awaited retirement. 

As we sit together I like to reminisce. He doesn’t have the best memory, but that’s all right. I can help him. Do you remember, dear? Do you remember when we first met? It's okay if you don’t. I’ll remind you.

It was in the middle of spring, when we were still in school. You know, back then there was a boy in our class all my girlfriends liked. And whenever he played, we would go watch his basketball games in the school gym. Somehow, I remember as if it were yesterday. It was so, so loud and smelled like sweat. Your coach was always yelling something or the other, remember? And we were there, cheering in the stands. My friends would keep their eyes on that tall, handsome boy running back and forth on the court, his shoes squeaking on the polished floor. The players on the sidelines would talk amongst themselves as loudly as they liked – nobody would hear them over the noises of the game. The sounds of the ball echoed through the building. I can still feel it in my chest – ba-dump, ba-dump. 

But to me, you shone the brightest by far. You were the only one on that court I wanted to see, you know. I couldn’t help it.I was always trying to match your gaze – whenever you glanced toward the stands, I hoped with all my heart you were looking at me. I wished I could be down there with you, if only a bit closer. It was the first time I had felt that way, but that feeling hasn’t stopped since. 

I pull him closer to me, and the corners of his mouth curl upward ever so slightly into that warm smile I fell in love with. Small, cute, shy, almost. But unmistakably there. His eyes star off into the distance – they're cloudy and unfocused, but I see the same light in them that illuminated my life all those years ago. What do you see? I hope it makes you as happy as you make me. His hands are rough and unsteady. They’ve lost the strength and vigor of his youth, but they rest so gently in mine. Their warmth tells the story of a life of compassion; their calluses are a testament to a life of service. Our fingers intertwine, each finding comfort in the familiarity of the other’s grasp. His hands are where mine belong; my place is in his arms. Will I ever tire of the solace I find in his embrace? Home is right here, on the couch, with my world leaning on my shoulder. 

Wrapped around his finger, his wedding ring shines as brilliantly as the day he put it on. Look – there’s a picture of the day you promised me we’d always be together. 

Do you remember? You look just as handsome now as you did then. It was a bright, sunny day in the middle of spring. We were surrounded by flowers in bloom, the birds singing beautifully in the trees. They were our choir, and we their muse. You couldn’t look away from me in my white gown, and I could hardly avert my gaze from you, standing there so tall in your suit and tie. I remember the sun was so bright and warm overhead, but I was blind to it. For all I could care, you were the sun. You’re my sun. Your rays set us alight with a glow of joy and laughter. And it was there that you told me what I had already known. I’d known since the first time I’d laid eyes on you, that we’d never be apart – that I’m the reason you wake up in the morning, and the reason you can go to sleep at night. And I told you the same, because I knew, and you knew, from the bottom of our hearts, that it was true. 

My love, do you know how grateful I am? How happy you’ve made me? I hope you do. Our time together is almost over, but I don’t know the words to tell you how glad I am that we spent it that way. And as for whatever time we have left, I can’t in my wildest dreams imagine a better place to be than right here on this couch, plain as it may be, with you.

Where do you think we go from here? I’ve never really thought about it. We’ve never been too big on going to church, have we? Maybe it’s not such a priority when I’m already in heaven. I know it’s cliché, but even if we were to go down under, how bad could it be if you’re there, too? 

His eyes slowly close as he drifts off to sleep. He’s so cute when he’s asleep. I watch the slow rhythmic rising and falling of his chest. Up. Down. Up. Down. There’s something soothing about the way his body relaxes and leans onto mine. It's okay, I’ll always be here to support you. You’ve been tired for a long, long time. There’s nothing you need to worry about any more. So rest well, dear. Let me be tired for your sake this time.

The moon shines from outside the window before a sea of twinkling stars. She isn’t as warm or as bright as the afternoon sun, but she’s enough. After all, the sun does his job wonderfully; it’s only right that he gets a break. He leaves the sky to his partner, who lights it up in his stead. Bathing in her rays, I, too, slowly close my eyes, blissfully falling asleep beside the love of my life. 

I dream that we’re both young again. Smiling and laughing, we dance in a field of spring flowers, surrounded by birds chirping with delight, nestled in branches waving with our every step. You turn to me and mouth those three words that never fail to make my heart skip a beat. Overjoyed, I wrap my arms around you. All I want is to be right here, next to you, for ever and ever.