I used to write a lot of poetry.  About nature, about war, about hope and dreams, and yes about love.

In high school, I wrote a short, 4-stanza poem titled My Beloved that no one really understood at the time.  I was asked repeatedly who I'd written it for, and kept giving the cryptic answer, "I don't know yet."

Fast forward a little over a decade and I finally met the woman for whom this poem was meant: my wife.

Since it's Valentine's Day, I wanted to share a little bit of romance with you.  So here's a love letter, written more than 10 years before I met the woman to whom it was dedicated.[ref]If you can wrap your head around the causality of that, you deserve a medal![/ref]

Be kind to the poem below ... remember, a teenager wrote it.

My Beloved

When I look on you,
I see your face;
Your beautiful smile,
Your twinkling eyes.

I see your soul,
A magnificent angel.
I see a mind,
So broad and so fine.

I dream of you,
I long for you.
Your touch comforts,
Your smile slays my demons.

I see you and smile,
For I know I am safe
As you welcome me into your arms.
I pray this dream never ends.