Wednesday, February 14, 2007

I Love Her Name

Some people shy away from the term, "partner." For many, I think the word carries a connotation associated with homosexuality. For others, a "partner" is someone with whom you share a business venture.

I say, let's just keep it simple:
part·ner [pahrt-ner]
–noun
1. a person who shares or is associated with another in some action or endeavor; sharer; associate.
So, that endeavor could be a business or a relationship and that relationship could be straight, gay, bisexual, polyamorous, or monogamous.

In my case, I'm more concerned about whether it is a good relationship.


Now, my relationship, like any other, has its share of ups and downs, but what makes My Lady my partner is a natural, spontaneous recipe of affective and effective ingredients. Some are easier to identify and explain than others.

For example, she is my partner because ...that's who we are. Not being with My Lady would require going against my nature, like using my left hand instead of my right, trying to stay awake when my body's yearning for sleep, or settling for water when my stomach's growling.

Being with her is just my natural state of being.

Her presence is a relentlessly pleasurable, multi-tiered assault on my consciousness (and my subconscious mind). Imagine something that engages and enthralls all five of your senses, at once. If you can truly conceive of such a thing, then you must realize how very rare and valuable it is.

This is a poor comparison, but I can't help but think of something Chris Rock said about all the starving people in the world: "...if you're one of the chosen few people in the world lucky enough to get your hands on a steak, bite the shit out of it!"

In other words, "Don't pass up a good thing." A woman who stimulates my every sense definitely qualifies.
Hearing.
Since I've known her, I've moved around a lot - often in different states. So, we just talked on the phone for hours on-end. It was then, without the distraction of her physical beauty, I realized that I was in-love with her voice. Soothingly melodious.

Sight.
Speaking of physical beauty, it's like someone took notes on my aesthetic preferences, made a mold, and then poured My Lady into it. Her curves were made for my hands and her face was made for my eyes. Honestly. I've spent an unbelievable amount of the last several years simply staring at this very shy young lady. I feel guilty about it, but I can't help myself.

Smell.
She's living proof of the existence of pheromones. Nuff said.

Taste.
I cannot kiss her enough. My lips and tongue ache for her like some amorous addiction that can't be cured, only managed. And so, I get through each day by counting the minutes and hours until my next fix.

Touch.
I said, earlier, that her curves were made for me and it's true. My hands know every inch of her. It's as if her physicality were ingrained in my muscle memory. If I ever lost my sight, I could identify her sinfully soft skin and unending curvature with but a tactile glance.
As wonderful as all that is, none of this speaks to the universally-valued state of simply being understood by another human-being. No one has ever "gotten me" the way My Lady does and I doubt anyone understands her as much as I do. Certainly, no one knows so much of her ways - her mannerisms and idiosyncrasies.

And, I can say, without vanity or arrogance, that I don't believe anyone could ever love her as much as I do.

In the movie, Good Will Hunting, Robin Williams' character makes a brief speech about the "little things" that has stuck with me because it is simply among the purest of truths:
"Wonderful stuff, you know, little things like that. Ah, but, those are the things I miss the most. The little idiosyncrasies that only I knew about. That's what made her my wife. Oh and she had the goods on me, too, she knew all my little peccadilloes. People call these things imperfections, but they're not, aw that's the good stuff. And then we get to choose who we let into our weird little worlds."
So, we are partners because we do just that. We not only share each other's weird little worlds, we embrace them. At least, I do.

Being exposed to the types of music and movies that she likes, listening to and discussing podcasts as we take a road trip, and knowing which "buttons" to press to turn her on or knock her out.

It's hard to choose the best part of this relationship or the best moments of my day, but one of the top three has to involve a dark, cool room, a gentle slumber, and My Lady's head resting comfortably and securely on my chest, while I hold her tight and kiss her softly.

I feel like I've loved her longer than I've known her and, believe it or not,...

I even love her name.

11 comments:

Miz JJ said...

Awww...this is cute.

Anonymous said...

I dig how you're layin' down TRUTH right here, bruh. Stay blessed.

Anonymous said...

You make me sick!! Get a room!

Kidding...KIDDING!!!

This was very nice. It's great when Black folks are in love.

Re: the word partner...whenever anyone says that I automatically think 'gay' as well. But I guess straight people use it because 'boyfriend' and 'girlfriend' sounds juvevnile.

Why WOULDN'T you love her name? I believe it. If it's a nice name...then, go right ahead.

Angie said...

I love it! Hope someone writes some shit like this about me, real soon!

Anonymous said...

Sounds great. Happy Valentine's Day.

dreamyj said...

Awww, wow, that is beautiful. Don't ever let her go, hold on to that love as long as you can. Happy Valentine's Day to you both! =)

... said...

Test comment....from blogger help group.

Remnants of U said...

Aww West that is so sweet! She is a lucky lady.

Anonymous said...

Wow, How beautiful!!
You just may make me a believer in LOVE again.

Unknown said...

Great post. My guy and I refer to each other as partners, too. I know just what you mean by the use of word. I know sometimes people think I am talking about another woman when I say it.

Anonymous said...

I could be a jerk here and quote my pal Pee Wee Herman but I won't. Very nice post.