I loved u before I ever saw u

Twenty-four, waiting tables, working nights, moving every few months

Still trying to figure out what kind of man I was gonna be

Then God put u in my life. Iris

Twenty-four with a suitcase, head full of questions. No roots, no routine, life in transition. Picked u up from a stranger's house, first time I saw your face. U were timid, barely trusting, barely leaving your space. But I loved u at first glance. Something in me just knew. God had sent u to me, I just didn't know why. Took a couple days before u let me close, but I knew u were meant to be here. I worked late shifts, coming home when the sun rose. Sometimes u were in a cage while I chased what I thought I was supposed to. Moving every few months, never knowing where we'd land. I didn't have much stability, but u still took me as I am. Then came the mornings, two miles before the day began. U pulled that longboard like a Husky sled team. Two more at night when the whole town slowed. Wind in your coat, paws on pavement. No destination, just movement, just freedom. I thought I was taking u out.. U were showing me the way. I was trying to outrun everything inside me. U were running free, teaching me to breathe

I thought I was saving u. God had something else in mind. I was trying to give u home. He was giving me mine

Iris, u loved me at twenty-four / When I was lost, moving, looking for more / U were shy, I was wild, neither knew what we'd become / But God put u beside me and somehow we became one / Twelve years later, u still look at me / Like the same kid u met is the man that u see / Life changed, I changed, but your love stayed true / God gave me u, and I grew up with u

Then life kept moving, new cities, new ceilings, new streets, new chapters. But u never needed much, just somewhere close to me. Didn't matter what changed, u were my consistency. Still independent, allergic to authority. Escape artist by nature, always testing boundaries. I'd turn around.. And u'd be gone. Then show back up like u owned the place. But one story stays with me. I was out of town, u got loose from my family's place. Crossed a busy road, found your way back to my house. And waited.. In my driveway. Like u knew I'd be back. No map, no call, no one telling u where to go. Just four paws, one road. And somehow.. u knew where home was. I spent years trying to figure out where I belonged. Somehow u were showing me.. I'd had it all along

Now I'm thirty-seven, and the picture looks different. More grounded, more aware, more grateful. I can trace every chapter, every move, every mile. And somehow.. u're there in every one. U saw me make mistakes, chase the wrong things. Saw the kid before I knew how to be a man. Never kept a scoreboard, never made me explain. U met me where I was.. And loved me all the same. When everything shifted, u stayed consistent. I was learning how to love, u were teaching without speaking. Showing me loyalty is showing up. Not preaching. Now it's June, another birthday, another year. Twelve years deep.. And I'm still grateful u're here. Still healthy, funny, sweet, free. Still that independent soul God sent to me. I don't wanna count the years like they're running out. I wanna count the blessings while we're living them. More mornings, walks, miles in the sun. More longboard memories, more life still to come. I know who I was, I know who I've become. And every version in between.. had u somewhere in it

I was a kid. U were a scared little Husky. We both had growing to do. Now I'm a man.. And somehow u still look at me like I'm that same kid. That's what gets me. The world changed, I changed. But u never changed the way u loved me

Iris, u loved me at twenty-four / When I was lost, moving, looking for more / U were shy, I was wild, neither knew what we'd become / But God put u beside me and somehow we became one / Twelve years later, u still look at me / Like the same kid u met is the man that u see / Life changed, I changed, but your love stayed true / God gave me u, and I grew up with u

I loved u before I ever saw u. Twelve years later

I understand why. God knew I needed someone who'd love me before I became the man I was supposed to be. He gave me u. Thank You, God, for that first look, every move, every late night, every two-mile run, every escape, every time u came back. Thank You for twelve years and today. She's still here, healthy, wild, independent, loving me. I pray there's more ahead. More June birthdays, mornings, miles, more life. Iris.. U helped me grow up. U loved the kid, the mess, the man. Through every version.. u never changed the way u loved me. I loved u before I ever saw u. I love u now. And I'll keep growing with u.