Paper Rings

                                    

                                          
Paper Rings
The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the quiet street where we first met. The air was crisp, and the laughter of your friends echoed through the night, slightly slurred from the drinks they had shared. I remember how my heart raced when you approached me, a stranger in a crowded room. That night, I went home and couldn't resist the urge to stalk you on the internet, a modern-day ritual for anyone curious about the mysterious person they had just met. I combed through your social media profiles, piecing together fragments of your life—each post, each photo, a small window into who you were. I even found myself reading all of the books beside your bed, trying to understand the mind behind those eyes that had captivated me so quickly.
Our beginning was a game of cat and mouse, a dance of uncertainty and hesitation that stretched on for months. We would bump into each other in the most unexpected places, our conversations filled with teasing banter and subtle flirtations. But there was always something in the way, a coldness like the shoulder I gave you one evening on the street. I wasn't ready to admit how much I liked you, and you weren't ready to let me in. But somehow, even in those moments of doubt, I knew there was something different about you. Now, I find myself waking up in the middle of the night just to watch you breathe, the rise and fall of your chest bringing me a sense of peace I hadn't known before.
I can still recall the night we first kissed, a kiss that lingered with the taste of longing and the promise of something more. "Kiss me once," I had whispered, my voice barely audible above the pounding of my heart, "because you know I had a long night." And you did, your lips soft and warm against mine. "Kiss me twice," I murmured, as our foreheads touched, "because it's gonna be alright." And you did, pulling me closer, erasing any remaining doubts. "Three times," I finally sighed, "because I've waited my whole life for this." And you kissed me once more, a kiss that seemed to seal a promise between us, a vow made in the stillness of the night.
As the days turned into weeks, I began to realize just how deeply I had fallen for you. It was more than just attraction—it was a connection that felt destined, something that had been waiting to happen all along. I've always been someone who likes shiny things, the glint of gold or the sparkle of a diamond catching my eye. But with you, it was different. I knew, without a doubt, that I would marry you with paper rings if that's all we had. Because, darling, you're the one I want, and no amount of glitter or glamour could ever change that.
Our journey from friends to something more wasn't an accident, but rather a series of fortunate coincidences that led us to this moment. I used to hate accidents, those unpredictable turns in life that throw everything into chaos. But with you, I've come to appreciate the way we stumbled into each other's lives, the way those small, seemingly insignificant moments turned into something so profound. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
There's a warmth that fills my heart when I think about the times we've shared. In the winter, when the days were short and the nights were long, you jumped into the icy outdoor pool, your laughter ringing out like a bell in the cold air. I hesitated, but then I followed you in, the shock of the freezing water making me gasp. But I didn't care. I was with you, and even if it made me blue, I wouldn't have been anywhere else. That's what love is, isn't it? Being with someone even when it's uncomfortable, even when it's hard, because you know that being with them is better than being without them.
I think back to the time we painted your brother's wall, a project that was supposed to be quick and simple but turned into an all-day affair. We argued over the color, laughed at the mess we made, and in the end, it was perfect because we did it together. Without all the exes, fights, and flaws, we wouldn't be standing here so tall. Our pasts, with all their imperfections, have shaped us into the people we are now, the people who love each other in a way that feels unbreakable.
Sometimes, when the world feels too overwhelming, I just want to drive away with you, to escape the noise and the chaos. I want your complications too, the parts of you that aren't easy or simple, because that's what makes you, you. I want your dreary Mondays, the days when you're tired and grumpy, because those are the days when I can wrap my arms around you and remind you that you're not alone.
I like shiny things, it's true. But I'd marry you with paper rings because the love we share is what really matters. It's the laughter we've shared, the tears we've wiped away, the dreams we've whispered to each other in the dark. I hate accidents, except for the way we went from friends to this. Darling, you're the one I want, now and always.
In paper rings, in picture frames, in all the dreams we've yet to make real—you're the one I want. And every day, I choose you, with all your imperfections and flaws, because to me, you're perfect. In this life we're building together, you're the one I want, the one I've always wanted. And I know that no matter what happens, no matter where life takes us, I'll always choose you, my love, my one and only.