There is no denying that these past few weeks were some of the worst of my life.

In those first few seconds, I felt alone. I felt as if my entire world was falling apart. Everything went blurry, my head was spinning, and my muscles were giving out. There were a million things going through my head. But there you were, coming to my rescue. You held onto me and didn’t let go. You were there to save me.

I never thought that I’d be in this position. I never wanted to rely on another person for anything. I was raised to be independent, not to lean on anyone, especially a man. There wasn’t anything in the world that I would ever need someone else for. Yet, there I was, needing you. There was no denying that you were exactly what I needed in that moment. Even when it felt like nothing was safe, when everything was up in the air, you put your arms around me and I felt secure. You held me for hours on end as I sat there sobbing inconsolably. You didn’t say anything, but you didn’t have to.

Just your presence was enough to make me feel protected against everything that could hurt me. You let me know that you would be there when I was ready to talk, and when I was, you listened. You listened to me as I went off in a fit of raw emotion. Even when it seemed like I was taking it out on you, you stayed. You were there for me. When I erupted in tears for the hundredth time, you allowed me to cry until I had gotten it all out, then you wiped my tears away. You didn’t seem fazed by it. It didn’t make you look at me differently, like I was any less of the girl that you wanted. You told me that you admired my strength, even when I didn’t think I was being strong at all.

I thought that I loved you before; I knew that I was in love with you. After this, it was undeniable. You’re not just something that I want anymore. You’re a part of me. You’re holding pieces of me together while I try to mend them. I’m still nowhere near where I need to be, but you haven’t shown any sign of leaving me before I get there. You haven’t wavered at all. You’ve been the strength that I didn’t have. You’re the voice of reason that assures me that everything will be okay, the one that I believe.

I say it all of the time, but I truly don’t know what I would do without you and I never want to find out. You have been such a light in my life since the day you walked into it. Words seem to always fail me when I try to tell you how I feel. I can’t find the words to say. Everything sounds cliche or cheesy. There isn’t anything typical about how I feel for you. You saw me at my absolute worst and you stayed. I can’t say that about many people that have a choice. You always know exactly what to do or say to lift me back up when I’m down. You’re my strongest support.

I can’t imagine a life without you. I hope I have you by my side through whatever else life throws at me. I pray that I can be there for you the way you were for me when you need it. Thank you for being my rock, for being the hand to pull me up. You’ve been the most loving, supportive man that I’ve had in my life, and I will be forever grateful to you for that.