Something about this was different. Despite crushes I’d had before, none had felt this strong, this permanent. We had known each other for so long that we trusted each other completely. It was hard to imagine two people being closer.

As we walked along the beach, listening to the crash of waves on the shore and gazing out at the shimmering water, all I could think about was how beautiful this all was. Blue water, white sand, a sky streaked with gold as the sun slowly began its descent..it was amazing. And of course there was him. To me, everything about him seemed flawless. His eyes, his smile, his personality..absolutely everything.

Most of all I loved how being with him made me feel. I felt truly happy. I was allowed to be myself, opinions and all, and he respected me for it. He was the only one who could make me smile at my saddest, and one of the very few people willing to hold me at my weakest. Every time I saw him I got butterflies in my stomach. Whenever his eyes met mine, my heart skipped a beat..