| As the airplane makes its slow descent, the sun falls fast into the endless waves of sand, a thousand shades of orange and red dancing across the haze of heat. Walking into the terminal, I catch your eye and a wave of excitement rolls over me. You reach out to me, sliding your hand behind my neck and your other into the small of my back, pulling me in close. The smell of your skin and the warmth of your arms finally around me make me tingle with more emotion than I was ever prepared for. We walk to your car and as I listen to your voice, the soothing bass in your tones makes me smile with my memories of you. When we met over the phone some ten years ago, it was the gentle, deep hum of your voice that first attracted me to you. Over the years, your quiet charm and humble intellect made you even more appealing. When I finally met you in person, your strong, smooth jaw line and smiling eyes played havoc with my feelings and showed me how much I truly love you. In a world full of expectations, I have none. Looking into your eyes, I realize that being close enough to touch you was all I ever wanted. Ten years of the unknown finally answered with one embrace and the open beauty in your eyes. As you rest against your car, I can’t help but put my arms around you, softly resting my forehead against your lips. You turn me around and rest your hands into the curve of my waist, revealing the brilliant melting of the Arizona landscape into the sunset. I lay back into your arms, taking your hands in mine and kissing them gently – my simple gratitude for this peace you’ve given me.
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