This one is for Tommy.

The day is almost here! The day of all days. 19 days, and I will be married to the love of my life - the man who came into it carrying a guitar and a promise to be good to me. Oh, Thomas. The latest of nights, the earliest of mornings, and oh how we resisted them. Libraries, art museums, concerts, highways, airports, and gas stations. Oceans, rivers, snow storms, and heat waves. Long distance calls, kitchen tables, and couches. The pathways we trudged in the never ending snow. Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Houston, Buena Vista  - we've taken over them all.

Our first month, he drew me in, smiled at me, and said, "You ain't ever getting rid of me." The one statement in my life that I've never questioned.

We howl at the moon at night, yelling and carrying on like rascals: thick as thieves and faithful as soldiers. Comrades to the bitter end of "goodnight". We worked like dogs, we played our songs, we drove all night, we laughed and we kissed, and we kissed. Sometimes, we did things the hard way, because easier just wasn't livin'. His simple devotion through the hard times was a heavy anchor, keeping me in my place next to him. Holding his hand, I did hard things...I got back up, I stayed awake through the hard nights, I came to terms, and I realized when I had lost.

Under his influence, I learned how to be nice to myself, give some credit to myself, give light to my art and my ideas. To see glimpses of the beautiful mermaid he sees in me. Holding his hand, I saw joy...I danced, I traveled, I dreamed, I triumphed, and at last, looking into those eager green eyes - the most honest I've ever seen - I agreed to hold on to him forever.

He is my captain. He guards my dreams and visions. With him, it is impossible to be afraid...with him, my heart will never burn for home - he has woven it into me, where I can stay warm and safe in him forever.

I love you Tommy, with all my heart. Remember the poem I wrote for you in the car in the freezing Jersey November? Remember when we sat Indian style on the couch and I explained it all to you? Look what we've become. We've finally grown into ourselves. It all came out of the page and bled into my days, saturating my thoughts with your voice. It was everything I saw in you, and hoped I could give you myself. Now as I wait at the doors of the temple, beaming with pride and relief, all I can do is thank you for standing beside me...like you always have. I promise to you, that you will always find safety and love and truth in me. I promise we will have fun in life - even if its watching paint dry, seasons change, or our children grow old enough to think that we're actually pretty cool. I saw you in my dreams, and defying all odds, you found me.

We will rewrite the history of the world; the first two people to experience life as it was intended, love as the angels know it. You ain't ever getting rid of me.



- Chloe