It was a cold winter evening. It had been snowing for most of the day, but it had finally stopped a few hours earlier. As he sat looking through the pale reflection of the window, he could see the eerie shadows cast upon the fresh blanket of snow. In the shadows he could see subtle shapes and silhouettes that slowly mesmerized him. Then, as his imagination began to take over his conscious thoughts, the shadows began to take their own form. Suddenly each of them began to move, to take on its own personality, and to have its own meaning. As he watched the shadows and their hypnotic dance, he began to lose track of the present. His inner thoughts took over. He was slipping away to another place.
He felt himself being transported to this other place. Slowly his mind began to focus on this new place. It was a night and a place much like the one that he had just left. Or had he just left it? The line between reality and this place wasn't clear any more. The room was lit only by the dancing flames of the fire place. The same shadows were dancing around the room. He could hear soft music emerging from the background over the crackle of the fireplace. As he was immersed deeper into the setting, a flood of emotions overcame him. These were sweet emotions that he hadn't felt for a very long time. He always knew that the emotions were there, hiding somewhere waiting to be rediscovered. Waiting to be set free. He knew they were there, he just hadn't seen or felt them for a long time.
He felt himself being drawn to the fire. He left the window and sat down in front of the hearth. All the while allowing himself to be continually drawn deeper into the moment. Then a warm hand reached out and softly touched him. This touch didn't startle him however. Instead it was a familiar, sensuous, reassuring touch that he had come to know very well. He looked down beside him, and there she lay. She seemed as if she wasn't quite asleep, but not quite awake either. The faint smell of her perfume gently filled the air. As he looked at her, and listened to her peaceful breathing, his mind began to recreate the wonderful experience that they had shared only a short while ago. The passion, the love, and the lovemaking were all very vividly etched into his mind. Now that it had ended, she was lying on the floor, peacefully covered with only a blanket. The only parts of her that were exposed were her head, a bare shoulder, and the hand that had just reassuringly touched him. He couldn't help but stare at her.
He silently wondered, "How could one person have such a dramatic effect on every aspect of my life?" Everything about her amazed him. From the complex, inner workings of the woman that she is, to the cute, almost girlish smile that she used when she wanted to get her way with him. The sparkle of her eyes had always dazzled him. Her hair was like silk in his hands. Her skin was soft, like the petal of a rose. She seemed to always know his thoughts and feelings, no matter what the situation. She was always strong when she needed to be, and soft and vulnerable when the time was right. She knew the answers to questions that were never spoken.
Unconsciously, he began to lightly stroke her skin. He knew that she wasn't perfect. She had imperfections in her physical appearance, and her own little personality quirks, but none of that ever seemed to matter. He had always been taken by her inner beauty. It shone through like a brilliant burst of sunlight on a dark, stormy day. Her inner beauty included a kind heart, a quick wit, a gentle nature, and a zest for life. However, it was all highlighted by unconditional love and passion.
