where love becomes gratitude, and gratitude becomes home

today, i find myself reflecting on the countless blessings i hold close, and while there are many, one shines brighter than the rest—my partners. every day, they pour so much of themselves into our lives, showing me, in both grand gestures and the smallest acts, just how deeply love can be lived.

this morning began with my wife by my side. though she was tired, she climbed into the car with me before the sun was fully awake, helping me pick up a table i found on facebook marketplace—one i hope to breathe new life into. she never once complained, not even when her body begged for rest. instead, she smiled, showing me her unwavering support. and as the day unfolded, she gave even more—tidying the carport, clearing the storage shed, making space where there had been clutter. later, she sat with me through my appointment, steady and present, her quiet company offering more comfort than words ever could.

when my girlfriend came home from a long day of work, she didn’t think of herself first. she didn’t stop to change clothes or take a moment to rest. instead, she walked straight to me, saw how unwell i had been, and gently sat beside me on the couch. she rubbed my head until i drifted into sleep, staying in the stillness of the room, watching over me without needing thanks. she gave her presence freely, without hesitation, her love stitched into every soft touch and every quiet minute she stayed near.

and then there is my boyfriend, who moved alongside me as he worked on my project, fixing what I needed help with.. he gave his time and his hands, helping me bring my vision to life. he checked in with me often throughout the day, never letting me feel alone in the weight i carried. his support was steady, simple, and deeply grounding, reminding me that love is not only in the words spoken but in the quiet ways someone chooses to show up again and again.

our love may not look like the love others are used to. it may not fit neatly into the boxes this world tries to place around it. but it is real, and it is powerful. it is a love that holds me when i am weak, cheers me on when i am strong, and steadies me when i am somewhere in between. i do not say this nearly enough, but i am endlessly, immeasurably thankful for them.

and maybe this is a reminder for you, too—don’t wait to tell the people in your life just how much they mean to you. love is not meant to be hidden or held in silence. tell them you see them. tell them you are thankful. tell them their presence matters. because this world can be cruel, unforgiving, and heavy. but love—the kind that is spoken aloud, shown in action, and shared daily—has the power to make it lighter, softer, more beautiful.

with ink + bloom, 🌻