Letter #2: Pictures

I had never liked taking pictures. The whole concept was first disinteresting and then annoying until I found out how much photographers could make. Then I began to admire the people who made money from it but still couldn’t understand the people who paid to have their pictures taken.

Then smartphones came along, and people got used to the concept of selfies. I remember wondering to myself if anything could be more annoying. Why would people be so eager to see their faces when they see it every day in front of a mirror, I wondered. People told me it was for the memories, but my reply was always “isn’t that what the brain is for”?

I remember scrolling through my phone and seeing so many pictures, with folks posting themselves so many times. I muted so many of them because it was annoying. But I soon discovered a pattern. Like a creeping habit, I didn’t discover it until it was too late. But I realized I had started looking out for your pictures.

It was surreal, I didn’t want to be a stalker, but every time I came across a smiling picture of you, it was as if the sun had broken through the clouds. And when it was a solemn picture, I felt as if I was staring at the greatest work of a renaissance artist.

And then we’d meet and I’d try my best to make you laugh, just so I could see in real-time, that smile that breaks through the clouds and lights up the whole place. I must have been doing something right because you kept talking to me, kept laughing at my jokes, and kept smiling at me.

I remember the first time you asked for a selfie. You knew my stance on pictures and you were hesitant when you asked. But how could I say no to the opportunity, to have a picture of you who had become my rising sun and my bubbling spring. I readily agreed and I still recall the look of surprise on your face.

And as we continued to meet, I was the one asking for pictures of us. I now understood why people said pictures are for memories. Because sometimes the brain isn’t enough to perfectly capture every detail. Sometimes only in pictures will I be able to capture how much light you give off. How much you shine, and illuminate everything around you, including my life.

By this time, you had begun to suspect I had feelings for you, but I guess you didn’t know how serious it was. We kept seeing each other and I began to sense a reciprocity to my feelings. I made up my mind to ask you to date me. I remember my speech in detail, about how I wanted to love you, to be there for you, to cheer you on and watch you fly, to comfort you when you were down, and help you rise back to the top. I wanted the privilege of making you laugh, of watching your eyes light up with joy, of watching your lips curve in a smile, of kissing those lips, and embracing you, while inhaling your peculiar and intoxicating scent of lilies. I remember the smile on your face when you said yes. In my heart, I vowed to never do anything to wipe that smile away.

It has been a wonderful year, and we’ve created so many memories captured in pictures. But I am not tired. Every day I look forward to when you would send me your pictures. It never fails to light up my world. I am now a picture freak whenever you are involved. Weird world right?

Anyway, all this is just me telling you that I love you so much baby. Here’s to the memories we have created and cheers to more. Happy anniversary.

P.S: I gifting myself a digital camera. You know why.