A week away, and I’ve discovered so much.

A week of time that allowed me to ponder the thoughts that go through my head on a daily basis, that I’d typically push to the side for a temporary moment, has sparked more thought.

Who I am, what I appreciate, why my emotions are what they are.

Somehow, it all comes back to the world. To the environment, to my intuitive connection with nature.

The sounds. I’ve come to find how permanently nature and the ocean have affected my soul. There’s something about the rhythmic, in-and-out crashing of waves that soothes me, along with all the thoughts that get scrambled up in my head. I’m mesmerized.

The warmth. There’s good and bad in the warmth, like an addiction you can’t seem to reject. It’s comforting and healing, and draining and kills you - all at the same time. It’s the reason that each night here I go to bed depleted of all energy, and even so, it keeps me craving more.

The shells. How thoroughly I looked for the ones that intrigued me, layer after layer, I searched for one that would satisfy my desire for collecting something precious - only to find that the one that captivated me the most was right there in front of me, somehow with both a surprising and obvious presence. I practically tripped on it.

These are just three examples of what I’ve discovered this week, and I wasn’t surprised to find that they’re all feelings that can I relate to someone so special in my life. I can relate them all to you.

It wasn’t just the sound of the waves that got me. It was the essence of their being. The movement and the actions that caused the feelings of comfort. I find the same in your moments of showing affection… I’m caught up in you, and your arms. That rhythmic, in-and-out created by your heartbeat which makes me forget everything. I now know that I am so in love with that feeling.

God, you’re warm. Not only to the comforting touch, but also in that cozy, feels-like-home sort of way. All I have to do is be in your presence to enjoy the glow. It’s irresistible.

And you, are the shell that I tripped on. After being burned lobster red, blinded by the sun, and stepping barefoot over a billion pieces of the ocean that felt like broken glass. I was just searching for what I thought was right, and you tripped me. It took a few restful minutes of walking in the shallows, and there you were - rolling in and out with the waves. I didn’t mean to find what I didn’t even realize I was looking for in this unexpected place.

A week in Sanibel, and I’ve discovered.