It's not about how many gifts
you collect from each other,
or how big and grand you project
life to be for your peers to witness.

It involves none of that.

Anniversaries don't come once
a year to purchase a new watch or
necklace.
Although, think of the time your
watch held your hand when you
feared the worst--or perhaps 
that time your pearls kissed 
your forehead at night.

This cannot possibly be a materialized.

It must only be an act of intent.
A motion, that leads to a gesture,
which becomes an intentionally charged
thing that you do.
Small, as it may be, its importance
is as breathing is to life.

Considering all the little things--
the ones that matter--
like, 
growing with a person as they change,
as they go through hard times,
being their point of reference for comfort,
a listening ear,
a well to capture fallen tears.

The intangible. 

As spouses, there is so much more
we can do than buying things.
Yes, buy a home, a car and personal needs.
But pay attention.
These things get 
used,
damaged,
replaced,
and eventually
become useless.
They'll sit in the collector's corner
or in a box in the basement,
and become those much cherished
memories we only think of 
every now and then.

They are forgetable.

The present, however, you and your
partner,
are forever. 
Forever creating a life of memories.
Forever having patience when you think
you've run out.
Forever offering happiness when
dark shadows cave in on the other half.
Forever trusting beyond written vows.
And,
forever speaking when actions are
misunderstood.

In anger, and perhaps on a path to 
creating a bad memory,
you treat each other with love--
as hard as the mind resists it--
the heart must always win.

You became one on that day,
and,
as individuals who are true to each other,
you'll become partners.
Emotionally.
Mentally.
Financially.
Quite literally.
You begin to think the same.
You'll like the same things. 
You'll desire the same outcomes,
though, through different means,
you always end with each other.

What can you purchase to sum up
these things?
How far can a dollar take you if
it meant going to the ends of the Earth
for each other?

Let me go with you.
Let's take that road trip.
Let's dance in the kitchen while cooking.
Let's laugh and toast to last night.
Let's pray.
Let us always think about growing together.

Keep me in your plans.
Please do keep me in your future.
I will for you, also.
I will think of you in everything I do,
considering all things.
Thoughtfulness.
Careful discernment for us, together.

Showing, and, when necessary, using words.

Happy anniversary, my Dear Bob.
Thank you for always thinking of me
even when it was before yourself.
Thank you for the effort put into each day.
Thank you for those Spoerl-of-the-moment date nights.
I thank you for growing with me,
evolving each day as humans,
when in love,
do.

~De’Anna