I say “I love you” before every departure, following every “good night”, between silences in our conversations, amidst meals and whenever I have a free moment because I want to remind you of the three little words I’ve never said to anyone else. In case this day, this event, this moment becomes my or your last, I want you and the world to know how pure my heart is for you and how strong I believe our love can be. Call it wishful thinking if you’d like but the love I have for you cultivates patience, which allows me to be the best that I can be. Not only for you, but for myself.

When you fail to say it back, my voice falters and my heart stops.