22 Ways To Say "I Love You"

by Row Sullivan

(1) I often wish I had met you sooner-

         Or scratch that. 

(2) I just wish we weren’t such a late bloomer 

(3) or at least that there was more time before June.  

(4) I still remember the first time we talked for hours

to assure each other it’s okay,

(5) Zoom class in the background, but we were learning nothing new. 

(6) You were the easiest to come out to 

so much that it slipped my mind– 

(7) no one really understood what I said until our paths aligned. 

(8) The people who hurt us have no power here;

(9) you remind me that there’s nothing to fear. 

(10) Still, I’m thankful I can cry  

on a bright night that I begin to feel so small. 

(11) I say I’m killing time, but I just want to hear about your day,

(12) so I’ll take the long route home- 

(13) with you it’s not out of the way.

(14) Because it’s painting nails like beginners

(15) and Walmart couture 

       on road trip detours.

(16) It’s Tuesday night dinners,

(17) and lists of quotes to remember, 

(18) and lunch dates,

(19) and nights up late

(20) just to make sure we’re safe when it’s over. 

(21) It’s I love you.

(22) Thank you for being a friend.