Yesterday, Gabi and I spent some time walking in a local park and going out to eat. Then we went to my writer's club in town, and we heard some Valentine poems. Earlier that day, I had sat down to write one for her, and read it at the meeting. First time she'd heard it.

Let me preface this poem acknowledging not everyone here feels this way, or maybe never will. Storms have a way of testing, and the "house" either withstands the wind and waves or crumbles under it. Rebuilding is either possible or not. I'm thankful we have progressed as we have. But, for me, this describes how I feel as of this moment, even while acknowledging not everyone is there yet.

Here's the poem I read to her for Valentine's Day, titled, "Proven Love."

The intertwining of lives
Creates storms and earthquakes,
Crashing against our world,
Shaking our foundations,
Testing our two-become-oneness.

Sometimes in the midst of it all
We walk on water.
Other times we sink,
Only to find a hand pulling us back.

Holding each other close,
Not letting go.

Our life together will have more tests.
Of that you can be sure.
But this fact I now know,
Life has proved our love to be true.

We have survived the storms.
We have survived the earthquakes.
Our love will grow stronger
No matter what else may come.