They say when you know, you just know

I'm not exactly old. And I'm not exactly wise. But I can tell you that this one, is a keeper.

And they say, sometimes you just know. And all be damned, I just do.

There's something about us. The way we move through the world together is ineffable. There is a quiet in everything we do together, for each other, around each other. She's a puzzle piece that fits perfectly into my life, and I into mine. But even without the other, we are whole. Some days my heart swells when we are apart, and I feel adrift. But then I reminded, without prodding, just how much she cares.

I'm safe with her. Truly and utterly safe. I have not a care in the world when I look at her ice blue eyes or take hold of her hands. In her arms I dream peaceful dreams, I get lost in my sleep, I let go of control.

She's a dream come true.

She's kind. Gentle. Loving. Truly sees me and all of me, both my best and worst parts, and embraces all of them. I don't feel the need to impress her, but I am happy when she's proud of me. I feel like we actually work together, as equals. There are no discussions of who is to clean the dishes, who will drive, who will cook, who will do x, y, z. We both just do these things, without asking, without negotiations.

Simply put, I love her.

But not in the way I am accustomed. I don't feel the need to grasp on and never let go. Because you know what, I don't have to. She's not going anywhere. She's not "MY SOUL MATE!" Or the girl who makes me think "I can't live without her!". She's just the one I am choosing . The one who with everything comes easy. Without knock-down-drag-out-oh-woe-as-me conversations.

And maybe she is my soul mate, or the one I could never live without. And that would be just fine with me if she were.

But that's not the point.

The point is, I see my life with her. I see my future, and I see her in it. And again, not as I am accustomed. I don't see this haphazardly architectured vision of an "us". The kind of "us" I've tried to see with other people--a mirage of something that I've forced into my thoughts. I see honest and simple snapshots of her and I nestled together as a unit. A family. For as long as we both shall live. And none of it feels rushed or forced. It just is.

Some days I still don't believe its real, I'm living in some dream world I'll wake up from.

"How is this possible?" I ask.
"Its just meant to be, I suppose."

If I needed reasons...

Because...
No one else writes their goals on their iPod shuffles.
No one else laughs at my jokes quite like you.
Your smile is enchanting.
I never felt safe before, until you.
I want to wear all of your sweatshirts like letter jackets, tokens of your past life now merging with mine.
Travel is just a part of our lives. There are no discussions we just know that adventures are imminent.
I would go anywhere for you.

And most importantly because you are everything I have been looking for.