CHARLIE.

I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.

JANUARY 10, 1997

Happy Birthday

I know you don’t really care about your birthday, but I care about you, and that feels worth celebrating.

THERE ARE ENDLESS REASONS YOU’RE WORTH CELEBRATING, BUT HERE ARE JUST A FEW…

  • You show up consistently.

    You show up for me in the big moments and the small ones. You don’t disappear when things feel hard or inconvenient, and that steadiness means more to me than you know.

  • You make me feel safe being myself.

    With you, I don’t feel like I have to filter or hide parts of who I am. I can be honest (sometimes ;)…), emotional (all the time), joyful, and imperfect, and I know I’m still safe and fully loved.

  • You’re intentional with your time and your words.

    I feel chosen when you give me your time and when you speak to me with care. Nothing feels careless or rushed, and it makes me feel deeply valued.

  • You’re patient in the way you love.

    You never rush me or pressure me. You meet me with gentleness and understanding, and your patience makes love feel calm, secure, and steady.

I know I can’t always be there physically, so I wanted to leave a few things here for you. Just depending on what kind of day you are having…

Open when: You feel happy

Open when: You had a hard day

Open when: You can’t sleep

Open when: you miss me

Open when: You feel the distance

Being long distance isn’t always easy. There are days I really miss the simple things. Being in the same room, doing nothing together, just existing side by side.

But even on those days, how I feel about you has never been confusing. Loving you has always felt easy. I would choose you in every lifetime, as every version of me.

Thank You for Being…

I’m really grateful you were born. You matter a lot to me, and I’m thankful I get to love you.

You made it. Good, because this is your birthday gift.

YOU SAID NO GIFTS. I SAID OK. AND THEN I SAID EHH. (IT'S SLIGHTLY SELFISH)