Then and Now

2015

Hi there. It's Me.

Older, yes, and more worn-

And though some scars have faded,

I've collected our fair share of new ones.

Time and mistakes painting red our canvas.

The last time we met,

you were intentionally losing me.

Creating a purple haze of in the moments and closed eyes.

Thought you knew what we wanted.

Who we were.

Thought you could lose me

in the pursuit of adventure and love and beauty-

all things young and new.

But don't you see?

There was never a need to lose me.

You created me.

And so, I'm here.

Staring back at you with our wanderlust eyes.

Yes, time has taken its liberties

with the strokes across our face.

But I'm here to tell you we'll be fine.

We've always needed each other to push and pull.

Yin and Yang.

And there are still more

wonder filled adventures waiting for us.

You've told me so.

2019

Hi there. It's me again.

Older, yes, and more worn-

And though some scars have faded,

I've collected our fair share of new ones.

Grief and mistakes burdening our heart.

The last time we met

you were a kaleidoscope of emotion.

Unprecedented loss ricocheting off

love and hope and wedding bands.

You felt everything and nothing-

so deeply.

And you lost me again

in the pursuit of him,

and the memory of her.

But don't you see?

Our heart won't hold

until we patch the wounds.

And so, I'm here.

Staring back at you with our war torn eyes.

Yes, time has been a battle field across our face.

But I'm here to tell you we'll be fine.

We've always needed each other to push and pull.

Heal and grow.

And there is still more strength

and love inside our heart.

You've told me so.

~Jess Smith