I've been afraid of changing
because I built my world around you,
and every road I've wandered
somehow always led me home to you.
I have made my mistakes,
walked away when I should have stayed,
let fear speak louder than my heart
in the cold of January's doubt.
But your love brought me back.
It always brings me back to you.
You have carried mountains, love,
worn the weight of a hard life
like something you refused
to let define you,
and still you stood,
still you stand,
my rock,
my foundation,
the ground beneath my wandering feet.
Your love of nature helps define
how your heart opens up to all.
You try to help everyone your meet
and you always give all you have.
I gave you a phoenix
because I saw you,
really saw you,
rising from what tried to break you,
wings made of everything
you survived,
beautiful and blazing
and wholly yourself.
Wear it close.
Let it remind you
that I see your rising
even when you cannot.
I want to grow old
in the shelter of you,
I want to watch the seasons change
with my hand in yours,
I want to be there
for every storm and every stillness,
every shedding and every rising.
You will not lose me.
Not to fear,
not to doubt,
not to the mistakes we've made
or the ones still waiting.
I choose you.
I choose us.
I choose the life
we are still building,
imperfect and real
and worth every difficult mile.
Your love brought me back.
It will always bring me back to you.