small things. big things. all worth remembering.

it's been a year today since we officially met. most people probably dont know, probably dont even notice. but i do notice things worth noticing. small things, they may seem to be, but at that moment, even i had no idea how big it would turn out to be.

i still remember the first time i laid eyes on you. a stranger in a table full of people i know. a new face. a face i didnt know then would eventually be the reason for a smile on my face.

i remember when i stepped into the bathroom to wash the cake's icing from my face. i never told you that despite the blur that was my eyes, i saw you in the corner trying to record the moment.

i remember the event afterwards wherein due to the lack of chairs because of the amount of people in that venue, you chose to sit beside me, on my chair's armrest, and i used your leg as my armrest. i suppose you knew too by then the sense of familiarity that ran through us both. you acknowledged it first before i did.

i remember when you finally told me your name. a name that i didnt know then would be a name that i would never forget. you asked for my number and despite the fact that i dont really give out my number that easily, we exchanged numbers.

i remember when you offered to bring me home, a stranger i've only met a few hours earlier, when none of my other friends would see me safely home. but you cared. you went out of your way to bring me home. despite the fact that i wont remember your name in the morning, i let you bring me home. it was an innate trust.

i remember the next time i saw you after that day. it was a coincidence yet again, that you would be hanging out in that place with some of my friends. you had a topic i was interested in and i decided to stay. i remember sitting right in front of you. i remember meeting your eyes and saw that you regarded me in a curious way--as if you cannot decide what to do with me. that curiosity that i saw in your eyes was a thrilling sight.

i remember that in the same day, that night, you shared with me a secret that i know now wouldve been hard for you to share. yet you decided i was worth it, and i thank you for it. for we both know if you didnt see me, the real me, we wouldnt be here now, and my life wouldnt be so interesting as it is today.

i remember the first time you called. i was shaken but you decided to check up on me and make sure i was okay. it was the first time someone ever called me just to check if i was alright--and you immediately made me better. you did.

i remember when you asked me and brought me out on a date. it was a first, that's for sure. you recognized that i was feeling awkward so you brought it on yourself to loosen me up, and you succeeded. thank you for understanding me, for reading between the lines. i enjoyed that day more than i expected.

i remember when you brought me home that night and you said goodnight. you leaned in for a kiss and i gave you my cheek. i turned to look at you afterwards and i remember seeing the light in your eyes. i appreciate that you didnt push me and instead you looked completely contented with me right then. i've never felt so appreciated.

i remember that day after school, in that place where we always hang out. i was annoyed that you came in late, but i didnt know you decided to get me something that day. i had a difficult time eating but you went out of your way to buy me food which you wouldnt eat yourself, just to ensure that i would eat something that day. you would tell me later on that that was the day you decided to officially court me.

i remember the nights after that when you called me every night. we talked about nothing and everything and we never ran out of topics. slowly, i opened up to you, and you accepted me for who i am. we would share questions, share answers, of ourselves and everything else. i would fall asleep on the phone, knowing you were on the other line. you gave me the comfort i didnt know i needed.

i remember our bet. it was a small game. i had no intention of losing, but for all my cleverness, you found a way around me and won. the next day you brought me back to our place. i was nervous as you leaned in to kiss me because i lost our bet. but i won just the same. i won so much more than i thought i would. it wasnt my first kiss, but i consider it just the same. it was the first kiss i willingly gave anyone.

and i remember the day i finally said yes and i saw the joy in your eyes as if you couldnt believe what you just heard. you pulled a friend and proudly presented me as yours.

and i never felt so loved. so cherished. so precious.

in my life i always believed im contented with myself. in my solitude and silence, i thought i was complete. and then you came along and showed me a life that i didnt know i was missing. you came and you provided me what i needed even before i realized what it is.

warmth. comfort. understanding. acceptance. love.