The alarm sounded and I winced. I didn't want to get out of bed, which is a highly unusual sentiment coming from me. The night before ended badly...curled on the couch and wrapped in my favorite woolly bouclé blanket, I began to tremble. I ignored this until it grew a touch more noticeable and my pulse seemed to swallow me from the inside out...it was all I could hear, all I could feel. It'd been an anxious weekend, an anxious Fall...year. I tell Nick, "I'm shaking," thinking maybe I should tell someone that I'm feeling so oddly. He shooed me off to bed, folding my laundry and cleaning up after our dinner.

I dislike hitting the snooze button. I would rather get out of bed before the alarm even sounds, or immediately after the first tones. However, as of late, I've delayed starting my day as such...not that I actually fall back to sleep...but I'll lie there staring at the ceiling until Nick has snoozed out his allotted number of times and then I'll rise with him.

This morning, I truly groaned when I realized it was morning. I think I even grunted self loathing remarks that last night I hadn't set the coffeemaker to brew this morning's pot. I leaned over Nick and lightly touched his cheek, whispering, "Are you going to want coffee this morning?" He replied affirmatively and I scooted off the bed. Had he said no, I would have gone without...when you don't feel happy, you don't feel like doing anything, either.

Surly, I picked my way down the darkened stairs (if I ever lose my toes, my morning walking sticks, to some sort of peril, I'm going to have to learn how to work them there confounded light switches) and smelled something...something wonderful...Nick prepared coffee the night before...I reach for my laptop to check my email, and he left a Notepad window up telling me he loved me and wishing me a good morning...and all at once I'm smiling and happy for the day. The mind is hard enough to understand as it is...but I think we all just need to be reminded now and then that someone cares about you, and for no means of gain—only that you've found a place in their heart.

I love you too, Nick...thank you.