to my pilot

Thank you is not enough to express how grateful I am for my life, for my friends, my magnificent, glorious family of friends, and the most beautiful town in which I live. Thank you, Universe! I've always been a huge fan of wisteria but living in Colorado most of my life did not lend itself to my growing it. And now, ah, now I get to enjoy it profusely.

I am grateful for the air I breathe. I am grateful for the men who have showered me with love and amazing sensations. I am grateful for the women who have inspired me, pushed me, and loved me through it all. But this post is aimed at one person in particular.

My pilot.

All these years later I am still so very grateful for him believing in me when I had no idea what that felt like. I still love seeing me through his eyes. He opened my heart. He showed me my wings, and he taught me to fly in every sense of the word. He saved me just before I buried myself in a lousy relationship. He swooped in and held a mirror showing me who I really am. He showed me all the possibilities of what I could do and be and have.

And so, this is to the man in my life who still lightens my load, who still makes me laugh, who still creates amazing memories with me. I stand now holding a Corona in his honor.

To you, my love, to our teenage selves in Gunnison, to the dreams we had then, and the ones we're achieving now. To you, my pilot, I thank you because without your coming back into my life all those years ago, I would not be where I am today. I would not be who I am today, and I've never loved myself or my life as much as I do right now. I hope I've given back to you even an inkling of the joy you've brought to me.