We met back in high school, which seems like a lifetime ago now. I was what Steve liked to call a real ladies’ man back then, always cracking jokes and flashing grins. But you? You were different. You were sweet as sugar, sitting a few rows over in my fourth-period math class. I’d steal glances when I thought you weren’t looking, but you always caught me. Gave me this little smile that just about knocked the wind outta me. From that moment on, I was a goner. Three weeks later, you were mine. My best girl, my doll.

Things moved quickly between us, faster than I ever thought they would. I said “I love you” first because I couldn’t help it. It was the truth. I never thought a fella like me could fall that hard, but I did. One kiss and I knew you were it for me. Maybe it sounds foolish, but when you know, you know.

You weren’t just a pretty face, though you had one that could stop time. No, you had smarts, class, and this way about you like you were floating just above the ground. Like an angel. You loved to dance, always had a bow in your hair, and you smelled like vanilla when it got cold and strawberries when it was warm. I still remember it.

Ma loved you. My sister, too. Even Steve took to you right away, which says a lot, ‘cause he’s got a good eye for character. You looked out for him, same as I did, never let the other guys push him around. Hell, you even got your best friend to give him a shot and took him on a couple of dates. I’ll never forget that.

Folks said I was crazy talkin’ about marriage so young, but I didn’t give a damn. I knew what I wanted, and it was you. We’d lie out by Coney Island, talkin’ about the life we were gonna build. Kids, a house, a dog, maybe, though you were always leaning toward a cat. Didn’t matter to me, as long as I had you.

Right after we graduated, I got myself a job, saved up, and got us a little apartment. The day we moved in, I carried you over the threshold like they do in the pictures. I nearly dropped the keys trying to unlock the door with you giggling in my arms.

As soon as we stepped inside, I kissed you like it was the end of the world and I hadn’t seen you in years. I set you down gently on the floor, one hand on your hip, the other wrapped around you like I never wanted to let go. Our noses brushed, your eyes locked with mine, and I held your face in my hands like it was the only thing keeping me grounded.

"Welcome home, doll," I whispered against your lips. You smiled, and then we kissed again, slow and sweet, like we had all the time in the world.