I didn’t love him casually. I loved him with intention. With patience. With the quiet belief that we were building toward something permanent. I supported his goals, stood beside him through setbacks, and imagined a future where our lives finally merged into one.
So when our anniversary arrived and he told me he’d made reservations at one of the nicest restaurants downtown—and hinted at a “surprise”—I didn’t hesitate to assume what it meant.This was it.