"Just make sure he loves you good, Sunshine."
He tapped my nose playfully with his index finger; and tenderly traced the curve of my cheek with his thumb.
Gently. Oh, so gently. He knew his work-worn fingers were rough, and he was careful with me.
Care.
If there was anything he radiated without shame, it was his care for me.
I looked up into his eyes. They were wet with honest tears about how hard this goodbye was for him too.
THE. HARDEST. GOODBYE. EVER.
I dove into his chest and wrapped my arms around his middle holding on tight. Holding on like I would never let go. I didn't want to...
How could I?
"I promise." I croaked through the tears - and then tried again.
"I promise I'll wait until he loves me as good as you do..."
I fell apart at the end. And he held me.
We both knew, I'd be waiting a long time...
...but, it would be worth it.
And I could tell you how he stroked my hair as we both cried holding each other; I could tell you how after a deep breath, he pulled away and reverently kissed my forehead - a kiss that was both holy and full of lust-heat; I could tell you how he waited for me to get into the car, closed my door for me...watched me drive away...
Hardest goodbye ever?
No. It was the scariest.
Leaving love like that, knowing that its time was done; heading towards love unknown, untested..heading towards what would be the love of my life...
And people think love stories are the best things ever.
I don't know if I agree with that...
They're both...terrific and terrible; awesome and awful...
...they are what you are - real, in all the best of ways, and in all the worst of ways.
Image Credit: Steve Buissinne
