I remember the first time she said it. I was fixing a bike for the kid upstairs. It was soft almost a whisper. She said I love you honey. I was dumbfounded getting oil from the bike chain all over my shirt. Say it again I whispered please say it again. I love you she uttered quietly. I looked at her so unsure of herself almost quivering with my unknown response. But there was something about her that grasped my heart and I knew I would want to hear her say it forever. Then she got braver I Love You. I Love You, I Love you she shouted at full voice. Like the words had been on her tongue for a long time. waiting to be said. waiting to be heard.