I love you for saying we can ask for help when it’s too much.

You smoothed the kid’s hair with the same hand twice and I noticed the ritual.

I love you for choosing to stay when the evening got hard.

You checked the door twice and then still worried; that small care is everything.

You left a note on the fridge that said ‘we got this’ and it steadied me.

I love you when you admit you miss your own mother and let me listen.

You tapped the rhythm on the counter while cooking and it made dinner lighter.

I love you for eating the burnt toast so I wouldn’t feel bad.

You sang the wrong words to the lullaby and I loved it more than the right ones.

You folded the crumpled drawing into your pocket and looked proud; I loved that.

I love you when you whisper plans instead of announcing them; it feels private.

You picked the exact bandaid the kid wanted and I saw how much you notice.

I love you for letting me choose the movie even when you wanted something else.

You reheated the stew and burned the edge, then laughed; that laugh is why I stay.

I love that you admitted you were scared and let me hold that.

You pressed your forehead to mine for a second and I kept thinking about it.

I love you for reading the permission slip out loud and pretending to understand all the school rules.

You texted me a tiny emoji to say you arrived, and it made my evening safer.

I love you when you make the kids pancakes even though you hate the mess.

You left your cardigan on the chair and it smells like your perfume; I noticed.

I love you for the whispered encouragement you gave in the hallway today.

You answered the work email at 9 p.m., and even that small tiredness made me love you more.

I love you for the way you check my messages before falling asleep.

You drew a crooked star on the homework and I loved that small rebellion.

I love you when you fall asleep on the couch reading and wake up confused.

You forgot to pack a lunch and still managed to find cheese, and I loved watching you improvise.

I love you for holding my hand in the car at school pickup.

You brushed your hair with sleepy hands and looked perfectly human and real and I loved it.

Your laugh when the baby sneezed is the best part of this evening.

You left your mug on the table again and it made me smile.

I love how you admit when you’re tired and still stay until the bedtime story is done.

You humming that silly tune while washing dishes made the evening better.

Seeing you sip that chamomile at the sink made me calmer than I expected.

You folded Lily’s tiny socks and I watched you, and I love how steady you are.

I hope you're settling in; I'm here if you want to talk.

I found the receipt from that terrible dinner and remembered us laughing.

I put your cold coffee in the microwave because you forgot it.

I saved the last cookie for you even though I was hungry.

I saw the playlist you sent and it fits this slow hour.

Holding my phone, I wanted to tell you one more thing: hi.