"I love you, too" I replied,
but, shaking your head in bemusement,
you asked me, "Why"?
making me feel, as you always do,
that I'm rare and precious, in your eyes.

Why do I love you?
For your kindness, your integrity, your honesty.
Because you make me laugh,
and make me feel more loved,
than I've ever felt before.

I love you for the strength that matches mine,
a strength that will always be tempered by tenderness.

I love the generosity of spirit I see you show to others,
as well as to me.

I love you because we share goals and ideals,
they will be the foundation to build our life together on.

But I love also that we can disagree without arguments.

I love you because you need me,
not to shore up a sagging ego,
or to shield you from life.

You need me to love you, no more than that,
and allow me to love you
with all the intensity of my nature.

You have no desire to control, or to own me,
you encourage me to follow my dreams.
You ask me to be no more---and no less---
than your life partner, your lover, your best friend.