My dearest Ioana,
It's hard to believe it's already been a year together. Time has flown by so quickly, and when I look back, I'm amazed by how much we've shared in what somehow feels like both the shortest and longest year of my life.
I'm so grateful to have had this year with you. Thank you for letting me be part of your life, for choosing me every day, and for all the memories we've created together. I honestly couldn't have imagined just how much one person could change my life.
When I think back on this year, so many moments come to mind. The day I asked you out at Milton Markets. Our dinner dates at Yoko and Koto Sanpo. Med Ball. Solving escape rooms together (or at least trying our best). Our day in Noosa. And one memory that I'll always hold close is my birthday weekend. I've never really liked birthday parties, but somehow you made that weekend feel so special. It wasn't just what we did. It was the thought, the care, and the love you put into every little detail. You made me feel incredibly loved, and I'll never forget that.
There are so many little things you do that make me smile without even trying. The way you look at me with that cute smile. The way you hug me so tightly that saying no is basically impossible. And of course... the Kiss Monster. I don't think anyone has ever been so determined to steal as many kisses as you do. I'm definitely not complaining though.
Being with you has changed me in ways I didn't expect. I've always been someone who keeps to himself and is happy staying in the background. But you've brought so much life into my world. You've helped me become friendlier, more outgoing, and more open to experiences I probably would've avoided before. I don't think you even realize how much you've inspired me just by being yourself.
Not everything has been easy, and I think that's made us stronger. Learning each other's needs and love languages took time. We both had to grow, communicate, and understand each other better. I hope you know that every conversation, every adjustment, and every effort has always been worth it because all I've ever wanted is for you to feel loved and secure with me.
Then there was long distance. After only a couple of months together, we suddenly had to spend three months apart. I know that wasn't easy, especially for you, but you handled it with so much strength, patience, and trust. It made me realize even more how lucky I am to have someone like you.
One of the things I admire most about you is your drive. When you set your mind to something, you give it everything. At the same time, you're one of the kindest and most thoughtful people I've ever met. You care so deeply about the people around you, and somehow you also have the biggest social battery I've ever witnessed. I genuinely don't know how you do it, but I love watching you light up every room you're in.
Some of my favorite moments aren't the big ones though. They're our dinner dates after long days. Falling asleep while cuddling you. Our short late-night phone calls just to hear each other's voices. Cooking together, even if it sometimes turns into complete chaos and I have to move extra fast before my hangry girlfriend appears. Studying together while somehow still finding excuses to hug, kiss, or distract each other. And yes... our "quality time" too. Every part of our life together feels like home.
As we start our second year together, I don't just want more time with you. I want more adventures. More escape rooms. More little trips. I want to try more of the things you love, whether that's line dancing, game nights with your friends, dance classes, or whatever new adventure you convince me to join next. Most of all, I want us to keep growing together. I want us to always feel safe enough to tell each other what we need, what we dream about, and how we can love each other even better.
Je t'aime, mon amour. And of course... te iubesc. ❤️
“Car, vois-tu, chaque jour je t'aime davantage, aujourd'hui plus qu'hier et bien moins que demain.”
“For, you see, each day I love you more, today more than yesterday and much less than tomorrow.”
I hope that never stops being true.
Thank you for an unforgettable first year. Thank you for every laugh, every kiss, every cuddle, every adventure, every challenge we've overcome, and every ordinary day that somehow became extraordinary because I got to spend it with you.
Here's to Year Two, and to every year after that.
Bisous,
I love you, always.