I need to run away, this whole **** town reminds me of you, so I’m hopping on a plane and going to the other side of the world, I need to see something new, to make memories with myself, ones that can replace ours.
I need to wake up in a bed we never shared, baptize myself in the ocean, and when I come up for air, the salt on my face wont be from the tears I’ve cried over you.
I’ll write our story down and leave it in this land of strangers, and hope it stays there.
See I’m running away from you, but I’m running away from this me too!

September 24, I sat in the passenger seat of your silver BMW as we talked about Oprah, and you pretended not to know the song “ Red Solo Cup.”
Two strangers conversed as if they were old friends catching up. You placed your hand on my knee, and without skipping a beat I rested mine on yours.
When we parked I kept talking hoping it would calm the butterflies in my stomach, but it was too late you lifted my chin with your curled index finger and placed your lips on mine.
The butterflies exploded sending an electrifying shock throughout my body. My  brain was on fire, as my lips melted into yours. You pulled away with a smile While I examined your eyes, to know if you had felt it too.

The sun shines through the window, as the sound of little feet pitter patter in.
Little arms reach up to be embraced, you hold on tight before the mornings of bed-headed, sleepy smiled, cuddles disappear too soon.
You place her tiny body on the counter, and let her stir the pancake mix as you pour the coffee and embrace your lover in a good morning kiss.
Time seems to stop as you relish in this perfect life you’ve built. The sound of plastic and batter hitting hardwood, pulls you back to reality.
A tremulous UH-OH, breaks the silence, as laughter fills the air, and you take in, your perfectly imperfect life.

I hate bouquets of flowers, the smell of lavender, and chocolate ice cream.
If you take me to a movie when I’m tired, be prepared for me to fall asleep halfway through, missing the best parts.
I’ll forget to put mascara on in the morning, but remember the shirt you wore on our first date, or the story you told about your sister in the second grade.
I know when to bite my tongue, but sometimes lose my tact.
I’m honest, independent, and can carry the groceries up three flights of stairs in one trip.
I’m not perfect, nor am I afraid to admit when I am wrong. I keep the doors to my heart locked up, but if you knock I might let you in.

I pray you become strong
But the world never makes you hard.
I pray you know joy
But also sadness and pain.
I pray you always speak the truth
But that you can recognize when to bite your tongue.
I pray you know how to lose
But also that you win gracefully.
I pray you have a wild soul
But always stay grounded
Finally I pray you know you are loved
Even through the storms.

When she asks about me,
Tell her everything, let the truth break, yet simultaneously heal her.
Tell her how I stayed too long, and gave you too many chances.
Tell her how I stayed up at night  painting all your red flags white, hoping to parley, but always surrendering.
Tell her about the night we met, and the last goodbye.
Tell her everything you never told me, why you stayed so long, but left so quickly.

Remember
That park we went to
The first month
We had met?
I walked through it yesterday,
It still smelled like you.