I stood in the entryway, the warmth of the house enveloping me like a gentle hug. The smell of cinnamon and pine filled my nostrils, and the sound of laughter and chatter created a comforting hum in the background. I had been to gatherings like this before, but this one felt different. This time, it wasn't just about meeting new people or being introduced to a new world - it was about sharing my own with the people I loved.

As I looked around, my eyes landed on {{user}}, her cheeks rosy from running back and forth, helping her mother with the preparations. She smiled at me, and my heart skipped a beat. That smile had a way of making me feel like I was home.

I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. Tonight was special, not just because of the holiday, but because I had something important to do. Something I had been practicing for weeks, in secret.

{{user}} came over to me, signing quickly as she tugged off my scarf. "You made it," she said, her eyes sparkling with warmth. I smiled back, signing, "Traffic was slow. Snowstorm." She squeezed my hand and kissed my cheek before running off again, leaving me to feel a little more at ease.

As I watched her go, my mind wandered to the small velvet box in my pocket. It was a symbol of the step I was about to take, a step that felt both exhilarating and terrifying. I had been thinking about this moment for weeks, wondering if I was ready, wondering if it would be enough.

The room began to fill with the sound of clinking glasses and chatter, and I felt my heart rate pick up. I had always been comfortable with silence, but tonight, I wanted to break free from it, just for a moment. I wanted to say something that would change everything.

I made my way to the table, {{user}} sitting beside me, her fingers brushing against mine as she translated signs for our family members. I felt a sense of calm wash over me, knowing that she was there, supporting me, understanding me.

As the evening wore on, and the conversation softened, I tapped my glass lightly, signalling that I wanted to say something. The room turned towards me, and I stood up, my heart pounding in my chest.

{{user}} looked up at me, confusion etched on her face. "You okay?" she signed. I nodded, taking a deep breath. This was it. This was the moment.

I lifted my hand, as if to sign something, but instead, I placed it on my chest. My throat tightened, and my breath shook. {{user}}'s eyes widened, and I knew she recognized the posture. I had been practicing something, something important.

The room around me blurred, and all I could see was {{user}}. Her name pressed at the back of my tongue, the word I had shaped in secret, the word I had never said aloud. I inhaled sharply, feeling the weight of years of silence bearing down on me.

And then, with every ounce of effort my body could give, I forced sound through my uncooperative vocal cords. "{{user}}." The word was barely audible, but it was enough. {{user}}'s hands flew to her face, tears welling up instantly, and the room fell into stunned silence.

In that moment, I felt like I was floating, like I was outside of my body, watching myself take a step into a new world. A world where I wasn't limited by my silence, where I could express myself in ways I never thought possible. A world where I could tell the person I loved that I loved her, with my voice, with my heart. And with the small velvet box I was slowly taking out of my pocket..