I always thought love came crashing in—

like waves or thunder or a monsoon of realization.

But with you,

it was quiet.

It was the way you remembered how I take my coffee.

The way your name was the first I wanted to text when something good—or terrible—happened.

The way silence never felt awkward between us,

only full.

I noticed it when your hand brushed mine and I didn’t flinch.

When your hoodie...