52 Things I Love About You

1. The way you hum off-key in the shower but stop immediately if you think I’m listening

2. How you remember my coffee order even when I change it every Tuesday

3. The tiny wrinkle between your eyebrows when you’re trying to solve a puzzle

4. How you laugh at your own jokes before you finish telling them

5. The way you organize my messy desk when I’m not looking, but leave my favorite pen exactly where I can find it

6. How you text me “good morning” even on weekends when we could sleep in

7. The face you make when you’re concentrating—tongue slightly poking out, just like when we first met

8. How you remember the names of my childhood pets and ask about them like they’re still alive

9. The way you dance in the kitchen when you think no one is watching (I’m always watching)

10. How you leave me sticky notes on the mirror with silly doodles when I have a big day

11. The sound of your sneeze—it’s not a regular sneeze, it’s three tiny ones in a row

12. How you pretend to hate my favorite TV show but secretly know all the characters’ names

13. The way you hold my hand tighter when we cross the street, even after all these years

14. How you buy me my favorite snacks when I’m sad, even if it means going to three different stores

15. The way you say “I love you” before hanging up the phone, even if we just talked five minutes ago

16. How you listen to me ramble about my day, even when you’re tired

17. The way you tuck the blanket around me when I fall asleep on the couch

18. How you get excited about the smallest things, like finding a good parking spot

19. The way you sing in the car, off-key but with so much passion

20. How you remember the stories behind all my scars and the dates of important moments

21. The way you look at me when I’m talking about something I love

22. How you help me fix things around the house, even when you have no idea what you’re doing

23. The way you smell like vanilla and sunshine after a day outside

24. How you laugh at my bad jokes, even when they’re not funny

25. The way you rub my back when I’m stressed, without me having to ask

26. How you leave me voicemails just to say “I was thinking of you”

27. The way you get nervous before trying new things, but do them anyway

28. How you remember my coffee order at three different cafes, even when I forget

29. The way you dance with me in the rain, even when you hate getting wet

30. How you support my dreams, even when they seem impossible

31. The way you make me feel safe, even in the darkest moments

32. How you forgive me when I’m wrong, without holding a grudge

33. The way you take care of me when I’m sick, even if it means staying up all night

34. How you celebrate my successes like they’re your own

35. The way you hug me when I come home, like I’ve been gone for years instead of hours

36. How you remember the little details I mention in passing, like wanting to try that new restaurant

37. The way you make even the most ordinary days feel special

38. How you encourage me to be better, but love me exactly as I am

39. The way you smile when you wake up, like you’re happy to be alive—and even happier to see me

40. How you make me believe in forever, one small moment at a time

41. The way you play with my hair when we’re watching movies

42. How you never judge me for my mistakes, but help me learn from them

43. The way you make breakfast in bed on lazy Sundays, even when you’re hungover

44. How you know exactly what to say when I’m having a bad day

45. The way you hold me when I’m scared, like I’m the most precious thing in the world

46. How you share your food with me, even if it’s your last bite

47. The way you look at the stars and point out constellations, even though you can’t name any of them

48. How you remember the lyrics to songs from my childhood and sing them to me when I’m sad

49. The way you make me want to be a better person, just by being yourself

50. The way you love me—not despite my flaws, but with them

51. The way you make every day feel like an adventure, even when we’re just staying home

52. Simply you—all of you, the good days and the bad, the messy and the wonderful. I love you more than words, more than lists, more than all the little things combined.

I want to spend the rest of my life collecting 52 more reasons, and then 52 after that, until we run out of numbers. You’re my favorite story, and I can’t wait to see how it ends.