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What he means when he says, "I love you."

  You should have seen his face as he approached the canyon. It was endearing. It was as a 3 year old who has chocolate for the first time. It was as a 6 year old who catches a fish for the first time. The light in his eyes was something I won't ever forget. And he climbed. On everything he could. The rocks, the trees, the small cliffs were no match for him, and I just watched.
  Until he grabbed my hand and took me to a secluded spot. Until he snaked his arms around me. Until he asked me if I thought the canyon was beautiful. Until he told me he wanted me to know something. Until he told me he loved me. I watched.
  I watched until that moment when his nervous brow crinkled, his heart sped up, his mouth opened to bear his heart, and I became a key role in his life. Then it was like a 3 year old who has chocolate for the first time. Then it was like a 6 year old who catches a fish for the first time. The light in his eyes was something I will never forget.
  The ride down the mountain had me thinking...what is he meaning when he says he loves me. It means he likes me. It means he accepts my flaws. It means if he doesn't completely understand me he will try. It means that my realism (masked as negativity) is something he is willing to battle. It means that he supports me. It means that I matter. It means that he chose me. It means...us.
  And as we drove down that mountain he asked how it feels. "Right," was my answer. It feels right. I may not completely understand what love is, but I know it is sacrifice. And this boy has sacrificed. In fighting the battle for my heart he has sacrificed his own dignity to show me that I am worth pursuing. I think I am pretty lucky. I think that as I told him, "I love you too," It means I like him. It means I accept his flaws. It means if I don't completely understand him I will try. It means that his unfettered kindness (masked as my doormat) is something I am willing to embrace. It means that I support him. It means that he matters. It means that I chose him. It means...us.

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