it took him by surprise

loving her was unlike any hollyood film or book he had read

there was no fire in his belly when he saw her across the bar

he didn't feel the urge to take her home and rip off her sweater

it was a slow sweet fall,

like drowning in honey

it was in the way she giggled at the most ridiculous jokes

the sparkle in her eyes when talked about art

trapped in the tears that slipped down her cheeks when she looked at photos of her grandfather

and on that morning, 

after the first time, 

as he woke up next to her

the sunlight dancing in her hair

he knew then,

she was his forever