For keeps

I’m in it for keeps.

I knew this as soon as I held you.

I wrapped my arms around you, and motherhood wrapped it’s arms around me.

At that point, nothing had come close to holding me so close to my own heart.

I wanted to protect it’s every beat at all costs.

For every beat was full of the love I had for you.

And that love,

It was like no force I’d ever felt.

It breathed me in, and then held onto my every breath.

It moved me to tears, and wiped them away with a single glance at you.

It made me feel vulnerable and safe all at once.

That love,

It moves me through our hard moments, and holds me in the now.

It teaches me so much about myself, and helps me unlearn what I need to.

It remains so strong, even when I feel weak.

That love,

It was, and still is, my reason.

And it always will be.

No matter where life takes you, or my new life takes me.

No matter or how far away my empty arms have to reach for your grown body,

I will always have you wrapped around my heart.

Because even though what we have right now is not for keeps,

I’m in it for the long haul.

Because no matter what changes for us,

You have ME for keeps.