I felt full when you handed me the plate you made first.

I liked that you remembered to buy extra batteries and saved the evening.

I’m smiling at the way you folded the napkins; it’s the small careful things.

Your sleepy ‘come to bed’ after the clean-up was everything I wanted.

Your quick joke by the garland broke my stress and made me laugh again.

You walking back in with the last bag made the room exhale.

I felt calm when you tucked the blanket around both of our knees.

I kept replaying your whisper about the surprise and smiled the whole night.

Your tired ‘I did my best’ after the party was the sweetest sound.

I loved when you paused to show me the single ornament you rescued.

I liked how you chose the playlist and let me complain about one song.

Seeing you rehearse a silly toast made the whole evening easier.

Sitting with you while we waited for the roast felt like the best wait.

Your socks by the heater are making me plan to steal them later.

I felt happy watching you read the card out loud, stumbling over one line.

That moment you handed me the ribbon made me want to hold your hand.

You do small, exacting things and I keep noticing them.

I notice how carefully you folded the wrapping paper and it mattered to me.

I’m thinking about your cold nose pressed to the window and smiling.

You saying ‘save me a cookie’ felt like the nicest request today.

I love the quiet we shared while the oven timer ticked down.

Watching you wrestle the stubborn wreath made me laugh and love you more.

I can’t get over how you hummed through the carols while we wrapped gifts.

Your tired smile after we finished decorating is still with me.

I’m happy you’re here, passing me plates and telling me which ornament goes where.

Seeing your mug by the sink made me stop and plan dinner with you.

I’m glad we burnt the first batch of cookies together.

Holding your mitten made me want to stay inside with you forever.

Your laugh under the tree made the whole apartment feel less small.

Woke up to cinnamon on your sweater and felt warm thinking of you.

I untied your shoelaces quietly so you’ll have to kneel to retie them.

Ignore Grandma’s fruitcake; I made something you’ll actually ask for seconds of.

I moved your slippers to the hallway; fetch them and fetch me too.

I switched our playlist to sleigh bells and my own set of suggestions.

Don’t open that parcel; it’s a decoy. The real surprise is in the pantry.

I left you the last chocolate on purpose; your reward is in my kitchen.

Set an alarm for ten — I’ll make sure you wish you’d set it earlier.

I replaced the snow globe with one that says ‘naughty’; come prove it wrong.

Lock the front door and pretend you forgot the keys — I’ll come rescue you.

I put fairy lights in my pockets; they’re for guiding you to the bed.