My dearest Michelle,
Happy birthday, my love.
October 10 marked our first year together. You were in Ipoh, and we didn't get to celebrate together that day. I wish we could have spent it together. Even so, that date still means a lot to me.
One year of us.
When we first met at my restaurant, I didn't know we would end up with so many stories to tell. Now, even the small things — watching your livestreams, seeing you get completely absorbed in your nail work, and the moments with Snowy — are part of what I remember about us.
We have had happy moments, misunderstandings, and times when we didn't quite know how to talk to each other. I haven't always got it right either. I want to get better at telling you how I feel and listening to what you need.
October 22 — your birthday.
For your birthday, I hope you stay healthy, have more things to smile about, and keep finding joy in the work you love. I hope this song and these photos make you smile too. I wanted to give you something personal, with a little of our story in it.
There are still places I want to take you and things I want us to experience together. We haven't done all of that yet. I hope we can make time for those plans, one by one.
I don't have a perfect speech or a promise that we'll never argue. I just want us to keep learning about each other, say what we mean, and make more time for us.
Our first chapter is written.
And still, I choose you.
Happy birthday, Michelle.
I'm glad we're writing the next chapter together.
