You are my I love you.

The moment I cradled you in my arms,

my whole life’s focus changed

to another human,

to you.

When you run and scream with delight and a bouncy stride, I do, too.

When everything tickles you as funny, I smile along, too.

When you are sad, my heart breaks, too.

Because you are my I love you.

I stay until you fall asleep in my arms, snuggled right into me,

even when I have work to get done,

because you are my I love you.

I rock you close in my arms at all hours of the night, even when I'm exhausted,

because you are my I love you.

Even when I can’t stand you,

when I’m frustrated,

when tears escape my eyes,

when I’m a shell of myself,

when I feel the weight of the entire world on my shoulders,

you are my I love you.

And sometimes, I'll falter.

After all, I'm human.

But my love fills in the gaps, the ups and downs, and you will learn from them:

the bruises that will appear and disappear on your knees.

I spent so many years longing to meet you,

to be your mama.

to be your home,

the one you turn to,

who walks boldly with you through this not-so-easy life.

So, to me, you are and will always be love in a bottle,

and when I see you, I’m glad to be alive.

Because you are my I love you.

Always.

This post originally appeared on the author's Facebook. Her book "Living FULL: Winning My Battle with Eating Disorder" is available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2O4mJId. And my Children’s Book 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘖𝘬𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘖𝘬𝘢𝘺: 𝘈𝘥𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘴 𝘎𝘦𝘵 𝘉𝘪𝘨 𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘛𝘰𝘰 is 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞!: https://amzn.to/317TvVc