Love Is

As I lay down a year and stand at the threshold of another I look back at an eventful year It had ups and downs but I am grateful you were always there Never let go, never left me alone You were always by my side When did it all start, this love that has grown deep within our hearts In that little thrill in my heart when years ago I heard your voice? Or gazed into your deep dark eyes, fixed on mine, taking me to paradise? Or the sweet tingling when our hands first touched as you passed a pen? Those were the seeds of passion, fuelled by infatuation As in young hearts seeds of love grew into a sturdy tree Withstanding storms, gales and the sun's sometimes searing rays Through it all, you stood by my side Never letting go, never leaving me alone Always there, by my side, you never let go, and our love got to grow Love was what you did every day Getting me an apple shake to satisfy my pregnancy cravings If I changed my mind, going for mango shake never complaining Holding vigil by my bedside through those long hours to our daughter's first cry Cradling me on your chest, waking me gently when I slept in the middle of feeding the baby Standing by my side, keeping me strong Helping me keep going on Love was you packing my suitcase when we went on holidays Love was you letting me sleep in on Saturdays Love was you cooking in the weekend, stocking the fridge when I had no clue what to do in a kitchen Love was you holding my hand, swirling me to a funky tune, with the look that was still smitten Love was you scratching my back when it itched where I couldn't reach Love was you rubbing balm on my forehead when my head was splitting and I couldn't sleep Love was you, doing geography and science with our little girl Love was you learning Latin, playing soccer or hockey with our little boy Love was the surgeon reading psychiatry, doing mock exams with me Love was you playing a tune on your violin when 'Kaplan and Saddock' drove me crazy Love is you with your arms around me, speaking tenderly Love is you holding me close, swinging me in the air playfully When I am well over forty, as though I was still twenty-three Love has been you wiping my tears when I cried what I couldn't speak Love has been you when you held my hand when life seemed to go wrong Helping me stand, making me feel strong I am so grateful I am blessed with you as I enter another year I pray I might be to you what you have been to me I love you, thank you for loving me