When my mother said 

to marry a man who makes 

   you laugh, I listened,

wisely, joyfully laughing 

through the lifetimes of our life.

   That which brought me tears

didn’t, because of your love.

   Dan, you are my infinite

winning season. My touchdown.

Your kindness could change the world.

   Football made me swoon 

when I watched it with you, that’s 

   how I knew. That and 

your eyes, laughing. Our children-

to-be twinkling in them.

   Everyone deserves

the kind of love you give me.

  Everyone, and you.

This poem is my beginning.

This poem is my heart out loud.