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One Year

By Sam MerrittUpdated May 01, 2020

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“I read once that the ancient Egyptians had fifty words for sand and the Eskimos had a hundred words for snow.  I wish I had a thousand words for love, but all that comes to mind is the way you move against me while you sleep & there are no words for that.”  –Brian Andreas

How long will I love you?

So long as the stars are above you

And longer if I can.

How long will I need you?

As long as the seasons need to 

Follow their plan.

How long will I be with you?

As long as the sea is bound to

Wash upon the sand.

How long will I want you?

As long as you want me to

And longer by far.

How long will I hold you?

As long as your father told you,

As long as you can.

How long will I give to you?

As long as I live through you

However long you say.

How long will I love you?

As long as the stars are above you

And longer, if I may.

On the one hand, I can hardly believe an entire year has passed since October 11th, 2014.  That I have been married to my best friend, my favorite person in the whole world, for the past 365 days.  It still feels a little funny to have graduated from the titles we used for almost 6 years–“boyfriend” and “girlfriend” zipping quickly through “fiance” in a fast 5 months to “husband” and “wife”.

And then, on the other hand, has it really only been one year?  So much has happened in the past four seasons, from moving in to our own home together to brain surgeries new jobs and bringing home my puppy.

However long or short it might have felt, here we are– one year deep into our own custom-made happily ever after.

Happy one year, Zachary Ryan Merritt.  Thanks for being my person, for always volunteering to run out to the grocery store for me even if it’s at midnight (like when I ran out of baking soda this past Friday night) and for always taste-testing my desserts (unless they’re lime-flavored, of course).  Thanks for (finally) asking me out over 7 long years ago, and especially for asking me to marry you.

I’m trying to not be too gooey and sickening-sweet here, because this space is for sweet foods and not sappy words, but I couldn’t let this day go by without taking note of the anniversary of one of the best days of my life.

I love you Zachary.  Here’s to us.

Lyrics to our first dance: “How Long Will I Love You” by Ellie Goulding.

Photos by Loving Memories